New bus kiosk move

Press, 28 January 1986, Page 1

New bus kiosk move

The bus kiosk in Cathedral Square in likely to be replaced by another with room for the police, bus information and publicity staff if an application for Government funding succeeds.

A joint working party of the Christchurch Transport Board, Canterbury Promotion Council, Tourist and Publicity Department and the Christchurch City Council hopes to take advantage of substantial grants available under the community and public sector grants scheme.

A new building or additions to the present kiosk would cost between $200,000 and $300,000. Representatives of the bodies met before Christmas and resolved to ask the Minister of Tourism, Mr Moore, in March for a grant for the project The project would incorporate several suggestions made in the council’s report on Cathedral Square. Yesterday the council’s cultural and public relations committee had reservations about the project initiated by’ the Transport Board.

The committee’s chairman, Cr Rex Arbuckle, attended the December meeting. Yesterday he sought approval in principle from his fellow councillors for the project and application for Government funds.

They applauded the Transport Board’s enthusiasm for the new building but said the council had to be the dominant body in its planning.

“Any building which goes into Cathedral Square must be the council’s responsibility,” said the Mayor, Sir Hamish Hay. “It is not a transport matter,” he said. Sir Hamish felt the board should not have approached Mr Moore with information on the project before getting the council’s approval.

The committee approved further discussion among the parties, including the police, but also called for its own report on alternatives for extending or replacing the kiosk. Cr Noala Massey said the building’s design would have to be considered carefully because of

its siting. Also to be considered was the space available within the building to various groups. It was important not to have just another bus kiosk with a few information pamphlets for tourists. “The public relations function of providing information for people has to have priority,” Sir Hamish said. The report on alternatives for the kiosk will be

made to the committee as soon as possible. In the meantime, Cr Arbuckle will take part in the working party discussions as the council’s representative.

At the December meeting all parties agreed there was a need for a facility for tourists and the public in the central city to accommodate left luggage, a waiting-room area, and to provide travel information.