Barbadoes St cemetery redevelopment closer

Press, 4 February 1987, Page 9

Barbadoes St cemetery redevelopment closer

The proposed redevelopment of the Barbadoes Street cemetery moved a step closer yesterday when a council committee approved preliminary plans to develop it as a passive recreation reserve. Since the early 1960 s several community groups have been pressing for development at the cemetery, which is the oldest in Christchurch. The plan presented at the meeting yesterday was for a low-impact development which leaves the character of much of the cemetery essentially unchanged. Main features include: • The formation of an open, central area with grass and a small, sheltered seating area. This would involve the relocation of about 56 headstones. • Well lit footpaths and a footbridge linking the area with the three adjacent housing areas. • Establishement of a biblical garden. • Floodlighting some trees and headstones from ground level. Detailed costings have

yet to be done but the parks and recreation department’s current fiveyear capital works programme shows a provisional sum of $60,000 spread over the next four years for the modification work. Motor-cycle area The committee declined a request by the Waimairi District Council for financial help in developing and running the motorcycle recreation area at McLeans Island. The Waimairi Council wrote that motor-cyclists throughout metropolitan Christchurch used the area and asked for help to maintain it and to employ an honorary ranger. Cr Ronald Wilton said that as the city had no such area for motorcyclists it should offer financial help and moved that the committee contribute to its upkeep. “We all know the high death rate of young motor-cyclists on our roads. We should be encouraging the development of this area,” he said. Cr Alex Clark said that the City Council already provided such major

facilities as Hagley park, the Botanic Gardens* and Queen Elizabeth II Park without financial assistance from other local authorities. Lifeguards The committee approved the payment of $2400 to maintain weekday lifeguard patrols at Sumner and Taylors Mistake beaches during February. A letter from the Canterbury Surf Life-saving Association sought the extra grant as it feared another drowning was possible if the beaches were not patrolled during February. The hole and rip off Cave Rock had already claimed a life and the week-day squad had made 20 rescues in the same spot. At Taylors Mistake the squad had made a further 24 rescues. These 44 rescues represented 83 per cent of all rescues made by the week-day squad. The association’s budget had been spent in the previous six weeks. The committee agreed that a further $2400 should be allocated. The matter was referred to

the grants committee for approval. Wet bikes Complaints by Sumner residents about the activities of wet bikes have prompted the committee to consider alternative areas for wet bike activities. Cr Charles Manning said he had received numerous complaints from residents about wet bikes travelling at speed among swimmers and surfers. He said some residents feared there could be a serious accident. The Parks and Recreation Department is still investigating alternative areas for wet bikes. Legal advice is that the council cannot prohibit wet bikes in the total area of sea under its control but may regulate and control such an activity, including the setting aside of a specific area. The department’s rangers are advising operators of by-law requirements and issuing warnings of possible further action should offences continue.