Many ideas for Victoria Square development

Press, 3 July 1985, Page 1

Many ideas for Victoria Square development

Forty-two submissions, ranging from suggesting an underground car-park to the status quo, have been received by the Christchurch City Council for the development of Victoria Square.

The submissions, from individuals and groups, shared some common suggestions for the square as a green open space with the Avon River a focus. Cr John Burn, chairman of the council’s parks and recreation committee, said the number of submissions was encouraging. The council’s project

team on the square’s development would take into account as many of the suggestions as possible, he said. Up to $4OOO would be spent on a model of the Victoria Square development as the design progressed, to give an idea of how the square would eventually look.

The council’s parks director, Mr Neiel Drain, summarised . the submissions received from the public. Submissions closed on May 31. A substantial number of submissions prefer the closing of Oxford Terrace to all traffic. Most are against any parking in the square, although there is some support for limited parking including tour buses. Many people want pathways and pedestrian links, particularly a riverside walk. Most want a green open area, some calling for floral displays. Some support the retention of the floral clock at its present site or elsewhere in Victoria Square. Many people favour a stage or special area for bands, drama, and outdoor events. Several mentioned a need for sheltered seating. The river is seen by many as a central feature in the development. Half the submissions want to retain the Bowker Fountain. A number suggest buildings such as tearooms, information centres, and bus shelters in the square.

Lighting is recommended for safetv reasons.

Several people want the statue of Queen Victoria given a more prominent position. They also want the present historic features of the square retained. Organisations making submissions included the Christchurch Town Hall Board, Civic Trust, Automobile Association, Canterbury Landscape Group, Canterbury United Council, Canterbury Cyclists’ Association, several architects, staff from buildings ringing Victoria Square,

Form 6 geography students at Akaroa High School, the Historic Places Trust. As well 17 individuals made submissions. A council project team has been set up to oversee the design of Victoria Square. Yesterday’s meeting of the parks and recreation committee also established an advisory committee of representatives of the Institute of Architects, Institute of Landscape Architects, Civic Trust, Planning Institute, Historic Places Trust, and Businessmen’s Association. The project team will now prepare a concept plan, including as many of the

suggestions from the submissions as possible. A draft plan is expected to be presented to the council by February. This would allow for construction to begin in 1986-87 and be finished in 1987-88 to coincide with the opening of the Park Royal Hotel. The project has been given the highest priority by the council. A budget provision for the Victoria Square development of $500,000 in each of the 1986-87 and 1987-88 financial years would provide only a modest development, Mr Drain said. If some of the ideas submitted were used costs could be considerably higher.