Lyttelton and Sydenham Master Plans adopted

Christchurch City Council today unanimously gave the final sign-off on the Council-led master plans for the recovery and rebuilding of the Lyttelton and Sydenham suburban centres.

Programme Manager Healthy Environment Jenny Ridgen says the Council’s decision to adopt the master plans is testament to all the hard work and energy that residents, community leaders, property and business owners and Council staff have put into the development of these plans.

“The Lyttelton and Sydenham Master Plans were initiated in June 2011 and are the Suburban Centres Programme’s first two master plans. After a year of planning, researching, testing and community engagement it is wonderful to see them reach this stage.

“These master plans provide a framework for the community on how their centre may look, feel and function. Communities can use the plan to set goals and prioritise what they want to work on or develop. This will, in turn, enable the Council to make decisions based on community priorities. The master plans will ensure good recovery outcomes and help build investor and community confidence in these areas,” she says.

Mayor Bob Parker says the adoption of these first two master plans is a significant event in the recovery of our suburban centres.

“The people of Lyttelton and Sydenham are to be congratulated, the Lyttelton and Sydenham Master Plans are the outcome of passionate communities who have a strong role to play in the future of our city. The knowledge and direction they gave the Council has resulted in a community agreed, long term vision for business, employment and building opportunities; and the creation of liveable, prosperous and vibrant suburban centres that truly reflect the spirit and hope of local people.

“These communities have faced such a difficult period, and it is heartening to see signs of recovery in these centres – new outdoor community spaces, art installations, businesses who lost their premises are returning and exciting new shops are opening. I look forward, with great anticipation, to seeing master plan actions and outcomes develop,” he says.

There will be further opportunities for people to be involved in the rebuild and recovery of their suburban centres as specific master plan projects are initiated. Implementation will involve consultation which is tailored for each project, for example the usual Council public consultative channels will be used for proposed work such as street enhancements, while consultation on larger site specific projects will seek wider input.

The master plans as presented to the Council are available at: http://www1.ccc.govt.nz/council/proceedings/2012/june/cnclcvr21st/8_report.pdf

Printed copies of the final master plans are expected to be available mid July