Inquiry into Square use supported

Press, 29 May 1985, Page 1

Inquiry into Square use supported

The Christchurch City Council will call for submissions on Cathedral Square, to be heard by a committee of three yet to be appointed.

The council’s community services and health committee recommended yesterday that a committee of inquiry should “investigate the current situation in Cathedral Square from the point of view of all users to establish the main problem areas perceived by users.”

At least two councillors believe that the committee, which will hold public hearings in August, will be a waste of time. Cr John Burn said yesterday that it was "yet another committee. No way can a committee provide a cure for what is essentially a behavioural problem. I don’t believe there should be an

inquiry.” The inquiry had no clear terms of reference, he said. “I cannot see how three wise men can solve the Square’s problems. The people who gather in the Square are young or riffraff or both. It is natural that they gravitate towards the centre of the city which is the Square.”

Cr Burn was supported by Cr Helen Garrett. Other councillors believed that the inquiry had merit. They believed that many people thought as Cr Burn did and that that was the result of misinformation. Cr Clive Cotton said an inquiry would give a

base of fact on which to make decisions. It would put the Square into a perspective. Cr Noala Massey said she disagreed with Cr Burn’s views on the problem causers in the Square. Mr Alister Graham, the council’s community adviser who reported on the possibility of a committee of

inquiry, said he believed it was time for the council to show where it stood on the issue of the Square. Much emotive debate needed to be tempered by facts. An independent inquiry would give the public of Christchurch the opportunity to be heard. Some groups, including the main users of the Square, should be specific-

ally approached to make submissions, either written or verbal. It was essential that the inquiry committee be independent. Mr Graham said it should not include a representative of the police, although submissions from the police were essential. The committee’s chairman should be a person of public standing. Another member should be identifiable with young people and a third should be Polynesian, he said. Written submissions could be called for immediately, with the opportunity for verbal submissions at the public hearings. A final report recommending action to appropriate authorities could be made by October.

The committee recommended that a committee of inquiry of three be set up.

Possible members would be approached, said Mr Graham after the meeting. Their names would be given after the council had approved their appointment.