Waimakariri District Council (the Council) is currently developing a draft Recovery Plan for the use of residential red zone land (regeneration areas) in the Waimakariri district. This area of land is approximately 100 hectares, located in Kaiapoi, Pines Beach and Kairaki, and prior to the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 was occupied by 1100 residential properties.

In September 2015 the Council was directed by the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery to prepare for consideration a plan for the intended long term use of this land. In October 2015 the Council established a process for preparing a Draft Recovery Plan and published a discussion document setting out opportunities and constraints for future use. The discussion document took into account the feedback gained from the CERA led Canvas campaign in July to September 2014 and updated geotechnical information. The next step in this process was the release on 5 February 2016 of a ‘Preliminary Draft Waimakariri Residential Red Zone Recovery Plan’, with public comment being sought until 4 March 2016.

Proposed land uses for the Kaiapoi, Pines Beach and Kairaki regeneration areas include sports fields, neighbourhood parks, new business areas, recreational and ecological linkages, a cemetery, a BMX track, a dog park, vehicle and motorhome parking, provision for heritage and mahinga kai activities, roads and infrastructure sites and rural activities.

A major focus of this plan is to move away from the stigma that has become attached to ‘red zone’ land and see these areas of regeneration as attractive, enjoyable and vibrant places for all the community to use.

Various communication tools and channels are in place throughout the consultation period to generate community feedback, online – website and Facebook page, a Summary flyer was delivered to every household in the Waimakariri district, advertising in local newspapers and radio, displays in Council libraries and service centres, roadside billboards. A key engagement tool being very well received by all ages is the 3D models of the five regeneration areas. Along with being on tour into the 5 local schools they are also on public display for a week in the Ruataniwha Kaiapoi Civic Centre and give people an opportunity to make informal comments about what they like, don’t like or to suggest a new idea.

People who provide written comment will have the opportunity to present their comments in person at a public hearing from 6 – 8 April 2016. Council will then finalise and present a Draft Recovery Plan to the Minister for CER in June 2016. The Minister will consider it, and if he decides to approve, Council can get on with implementing the plan later this year and over the course of the next ten to twenty years.

More information is available online; www.redzoneplan.nz or www.facebook.com/LetsDiscussLetsPlanLetsDo