The Star: August 09, 2018

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14 Thursday August 9 2018 Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi •HAVE YOUR SAY: Does Christchurch need a flat water course at Kerrs Reach? Email julia.evans@starmedia.kiwi with your views. Keep them to 200 words or less •Read about the man behind the East Lake Trust, pages 16 and 17 The Star International water course for The fight is not over for a flat water facility in Christchurch. More than 11,000 people signed an online petition in support of the lake after it was not included in Regenerate Christchurch’s shortlist of projects for the red zone. Julia Evans reports on how the group behind the planned facility, East Lake Trust, isn’t giving up David Goodman CONCEPT: David Goodman’s vision is to see a $160 million multi-sport lake built out of the Avon River from Kerrs Reach to Horseshoe Lake. THE EAST Lake Trust is fighting to debunk Regenerate Christchurch’s reasons for excluding the flat water facility from the red zone shortlist in a bid to get it back on the table. The trust’s vision would see the $160 million multi-sport lake, which could host international events, built out of the Avon River from Kerrs Reach to Horseshoe Lake. Trust chairman David Goodman made a submission on the shortlist, which excludes the lake, on June 29. “Regenerate has given quite specific environmental and social reasons for the exclusion of the East Lake that we can directly show are incorrect,” Mr Goodman said. The submission included independent reports from transport consultants Abley, water resource management consultants Aqualinc Research, surveyors Rawlinsons, engineering company Golder, and landscape architects Rough and Milne. It was broken down into categories addressing Regenerate’s concerns around water take, stormwater and the mixing of water, severing New Brighton Rd, loss of plant life, ecological systems and landscape, construction and truck movements, as well as the impact on private property owners. The amount of water the lake would use was an issue. But a report from Aqualinc Research said it would only use three per cent of the water available to the city and be maintained by a 40-day turnover cycle. “While there is a moderate risk of algal blooms with a 40-day turnover, there is in fact a moderate risk for most New Zealand lakes,” Mr Goodman said. He said the argument about cultural sensitivity over mixing water discharged into Horseshoe Lake was “moot” compared to the current discharge of sewage into the area. “It has been possible to demonstrate that the required treatment of 35.6ha could be accommodated within the land available,” the Golder report found. Mr Goodman said excavation of the site would take 18 months, not “several years” as has been claimed. Transport consultants at Abley Ivan Iafeta What happens next •Integrated assessment of the draft plan. Regenerate will assess the preliminary draft Regeneration Plan against criteria. •Funding delivery and responsibilities. Regenerate has to align the plan with Crown and city council budget processes, confirming how much the recommended options will cost, when they could happen (short, medium or long-term) and who will pay for them. •Draft Regeneration Plan said the lake would have an impact on the transport system around New Brighton Rd. “But it cannot be considered a fatal flaw,” Mr Goodman said. “Although some travel distances may increase, traffic redistribution can be accommodated on the surrounding roads without significant adverse impacts.” It also said potential works on New Brighton Rd for the lake would cost about $8 million – but that would be offset by the $6 million upgrade the road needs. There would be 125,000 truck movements, not 400,000 like Regenerate claimed, he said. Mr Goodman said the impact on neighbouring properties was not specific to the East Lake either. “Presumably there will be a considerable amount of excavation required for the creation of wetlands and/or other green spine activities and plans.” The trust has prepared 15 different technical reports over the past four years, Mr Goodman said. “We didn’t set out to do a complete pre-feasibility. It started in response to objections and problems. What can we do to help, it was more a situation that people would raise issues and support.” The total amount to be spent on the red zone is about $900 million. “With a cost of $160 million and benefits of $380 million . . . we will also draw your attention to the relatively low OPEX (operating expense) in running the facility once it is built, calculated at $400,000 to $500,000 per annum,” Mr Goodman said. On top of that, he said it was too soon to exclude any red zone projects because none were funded. “All projects, whether it be the green spine or proposed wetlands, are at early design stage,” he said. Sixty-five per cent of submitters in Regenerate’s consultation process supported a lake. “To resolve the matters in dispute, we propose the appointment of an independent engineer to act as an expert to determine the correct position in relation to the disputed technical issues,” Mr Goodman said. is completed. •Public notification of the draft Regeneration Plan. •An evaluation panel will be formed in which Regenerate will ask about 50 people to assess the draft Regeneration Plan against the integrated assessment framework. •Final draft Megan Regeneration Plan. The Woods plan is finalised and submitted to Otakaro for consent. •Decision made by Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Megan Woods. His submission said the expert’s final determination would be binding, whatever the outcome. There are currently more than 11,100 signatures on the trust’s online petition. It was also submitted to Regenerate on June 29 with 10,500 signatures. It remains online to collect further support, Mr Goodman said. He said the group was also lobbying for support from city councillors, Mayor Lianne Dalziel and Christchurch MPs. A rally in the central city saw hundreds of people turn out in support of the East Lake, including National MPs Gerry Brownlee and Nicky Wagner. Regenerate chief executive Ivan Iafeta said between May 26 and June 30 feedback was open on the refined shortlist of land use combinations in the Ōtākaro Avon River corridor regeneration area, which it is now considering. “The community expressed a range of views. The petition from the East Lake Trust reflects one view.” A finalised shortlist will be provided to Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration Megan Woods for consideration after the submissions are analysed. Christchurch Showroom 13b Parkhouse Rd, Wigram Read us anywhere.. anytime! Read your city’s newspaper online 24/7 www.star.kiwi/digital-editions Frameless Showers 1000x1000 From $700 1200x900 From $900 Custom fixed panels from $180 T005 Toilet $259 T021 Toilet Extra Height $429 1200 Plywood Floor Vanity Range 25% off while stocks last OPEN 6 DAYS Mon-Fri 9am - 5.30pm | Sat 9.30am - 4pm 0800 MILLEN | www.millen.co.nz | 03 348 8678
The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Thursday August 9 2018 15 Local News Now Fire rages, homes at risk Christchurch is a ‘no-brainer’ Christchurch can be the sports capital of Australasia within 10 years, says Star Media editor in chief Barry Clarke THAT’S MY bold prediction if like-minded people – that includes those who call the tune in this city – are on the same wavelength. But I suspect some aren’t. Christchurch will have a world-class international stadium, a metro sports facility, and a modern local multi-sports complex in Nga Puna Wai. We have Clearwater and other international standard golf courses. And there’s Riccarton Park and Addington Raceway – simply great horse racing venues. We have a rugby union side called the Crusaders, which on and off the field, are a worldclass professional outfit. It’s an organisation based around performance, succession, growth, standards, planning and very good people. We produce world-class coaches and athletes in many codes. Our junior rowing teams are among the best in the country. They will go on to win medals at Olympics and world championships in the years to come. Our young basketballers are getting to the United States on scholarships in increasing numbers. We have become a nursery for professional rugby league clubs across the Tasman. With a new, and hopefully covered stadium, will come new opportunities. A Christchurchbased NRL franchise is not beyond possibility. As we saw with the Manly-Warriors game at AMI, getting big crowds to NRL matches isn’t usually a problem in Christchurch. These new sports facilities coming on stream will turn the wheels of the local economy – accommodation, hospitality, tourism, retail, transport . . . Overseas coaches, players and sports experts will be able to train in world-class facilities at reasonable cost, given our exchange rate. And also learn from winning organisations like the Crusaders. We have an amazing rebuild happening in the central city. All of the benefits that go with that are starting to come on stream. The new sports facilities will be within a relatively short distance of each other – so no one or twohour journeys for teams/players/ spectators to get to venues. But there is one big part of the jigsaw puzzle missing – an international standard water course. Kerrs Reach is currently a joke. It is plagued by weed beneath the water and is congested above it in summer with rowers, canoeists, dragon boaters and the odd surf club boat on training runs. The East Lake Trust’s plan to turn Kerrs Reach into a proper water course is a no-brainer. Regenerate Christchurch and other ditherers should stop shagging around and get on with the job. Julia Evans spoke to several key players about what they think of the East Lake plan East Lake Trust chairman David Goodman said a flat water facility would bring “economic gold” to the city. “In terms of costing analysis, Deloitte found on average it would bring between $20 and $30 million per annum, forever. What could that do for the east and what could that do for New Brighton?” Mr Goodman said it would also bring great social benefit through all kinds of water sports, as well as bringing the red zone to life. Union Rowing Club president Dorle Pauli said the club was very concerned about overcrowding at Kerrs Reach. “Rowing is one of the fastest growing sports and we want for all Dorle Pauli rowers to safely enjoy the sport. So something will have to happen.” Ms Pauli said she thought the lake was the right way to go to solve that issue. But she said the Avon and Kerrs Reach should also be kept for training. “Another positive would be rowing would become more of a spectator sport for Christchurch. You don’t get to see it in the city as it is. And it would become not just an elite sport for private schools to excel at.” Sport Canterbury chief executive Julyan Falloon said it was fully supportive of the 2.2km East Lake. “The scale would allow us to run significant sporting events . . . in addition to that, you could swim in it so it could be used Julyan Falloon recreationally, as well as for events like triathlon,” he said. Mr Falloon said part of Sport Canterbury’s earthquake recovery plan was lobbying to get events back to the city. “Not only will it help regenerate the city with an economic benefit, but also a social benefit for sport.” When asked if rowing powerhouse Christ’s College supported the idea, executive principal Garth Wynne said: “Yes . . . why not?” He said the plan was “bold, Beautiful Teeth Meet the Owner Ryan Carlton Natural Smile brave and unique” while having the potential to bring a wide range of people to Christchurch with a purpose. But Mr Wynne said he would leave whether it should be in the red zone or not “to the experts.” “But do we really need the current proposals that are more of the same rather than something that has the potential to be exciting and sustaining and would place Christchurch as a city with another unique feature?” he said. Shirley Boys’ Garth Wynne Free Consultation, No Obligation • Full Dentures • Dentures Repaired • Implant Assisted Dentures • Injection Moulded Flexible Partials • Relines • Mouthguards • Additions/Repairs • Purchase cleaning and care products from our website. All dentures personally designed and created to ensure a comfortable natural fit. DENTURES PLUS (2014) LTD Denture Clinic and Laboratory 396 Innes Road, St Albans. Phone 385 5517. Email: denturesplus@paradise.net.nz www.denturesplus.co.nz High School principal John Laurenson said the school was very supportive of the East Lake proposal in the red zone, as long as it does not impact the environment. “With that proviso met, we’re Orbiter Bus stops Innes Road TRAINING: Support is mounting for Kerrs Reach to become part of the proposed East Lake facility. right behind it. It just simply means all of the schools around the city will have access to a worldclass facility,” he said. Mr Laurenson said it would be beneficial to both highly competitive water sport schools and some schools that have previously not had the opportunity. “If you build it, they will John Laurenson come and that’s got to be a good thing.” ChristchurchNZ, a partially council-funded tourism body, is playing its cards close over the issue. “ChristchurchNZ has not seen a detailed economic impact assessment on the proposed sports water facility so is unable 379-3589 379-3589 to comment,” general manager of destination and attraction Loren Heaphy said. However, she said it welcomes any new attractions to add to the fabric of the city for residents and visitors. “As we explore new opportunities we need to ensure that they align with our long-term vision for the city and also existing or planned infrastructure.” Developer Matthew Horncastle said the lake would be a “big positive” for the city. “Imagine if Christchurch could host another Commonwealth Games when the metro sport facility opens and we had the East Lake. We could emerge as the most liveable city in the world.” Mr Horncastle, who has developed properties in the east, said the city needs to invest in the east to get people out there. “We could have the big lake, on a big beautiful reserve and all of that business from Twizel. It would be great.” Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration Megan Woods could not give her opinion of the lake as she is the minister responsible for giving the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor Regeneration Plan the rubber stamp. 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