The blueprint outlines locations for anchor projects including the Frame, a new convention centre and public transport hub, a multiuse, high performance sports facility, Papa o Ōtākaro/ Avon River precinct, a metro sports facility, an earthquake memorial, a justice and emergency services precinct, a public transport interchange, the Square, an arts and culture precinct, a health precinct, a retail/commercial precinct, and a residential project.
The Central City Core will be consolidated into a 40 hectare area, with a new Frame to the north, east and south of the Core. The Frame will provide a low density open space area in which a number of activities may take place. Outside of that will be a mixed use area.
In addition to Hagley Park and the Frame, the Avon River park will be widened in parts and developed into a riverside park.
With many anchor projects being located on private land, the sites of anchor projects will be designated, with compulsory acquisition of land. The government expects to negotiate with landowners over the purchase of land covered by the key anchor projects, but will be able to utilise its acquisition powers under the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act if necessary.
The blueprint contains heavy expenditure by the state that is intended, in turn, to encourage the private sector to invest in the City. By identifying large public assets, which are also places of considerable employment, other investors will be able to make decisions for rebuilding, with confidence. So far, the Government has spent $5.5 billion on the Canterbury earthquake recovery, and may contribute up to another $7 billion.
The blueprint will be implemented through changes to the Christchurch City (District) Plan, which will be amended by 7 August 2012, and by investigating changes to the living zones rules of that plan.
Further details on the blueprint will be available from our website over the coming days. In the meantime, the blueprint can be viewed
here, or feel free to contact one of our partners.
For more information and updates on this plan and how it will affect you please see our new
CBD-Rebuild section.
We will update this section regularly and send out frequent eNews updates.