Airport, Square plans given approval

Press, 17 December 1985, Page 5

Airport, Square plans given approval

Two main development plans — for Christchurch Airport and Victoria Square — were given official Christchurch City Council approval last evening. The Christchurch Airport master plan outlines $2OO million in development for the airport over the next 20 years, while the $1.96 million Victoria Square redevelopment will change the face of the Christchurch inner-city area. Both plans have already won considerable support from councillors.

The airport master plan, which was made public at the airport and electricity committee meeting earlier this month, details a threestage development of the airport to provide new domestic and international terminals.

It has been hailed by councillors as an exciting document which will make Christchurch the best airport in New Zealand. Several reports on aspects of the plan, including financing, have been called for. The plan will be sent to other local authorities and aiport users for comment. The council also gave its official approval to the $1.96 million Victoria Square re-

development, released last week. The project includes shifting features in Victoria Square such as statues and the floral clock, closing the streets to traffic, realigning the riverbank, and building clear covered walkway canopies as well as grassing and paving. A toilet, tearooms, and information block are included.

This project was also hailed as exciting by councillors.

They approved last evening procedures to stop the

streets, send the proposal to interested groups for comment, and make provision in next year’s budget for the initial work. Cr Matthew Glubb, chairman of the policy and finance committee, corrected figures used at last week’s meeting. It had been said the $1.96 million cost was 7 or 8 per cent of the total rates bill. Because the cost came only from rates and was spread over three years it was actually only 1 per cent of rates in any year.