Riccarton proposes community council

Press, 13 September 1988, Page 7

Riccarton proposes community council

By

SARONA JOSEFA

The Riccarton Borough Council has proposed a Riccarton District Community Council be set up as part of its fight to remain independent.

The council’s submission on local government reorganisation was approved by the finance committee last night.

The submission was presented in two parts. It highlights the joint proposal of a three-city concept as supported by the Waimairi, Heathcote, and Mount Herbert local bodies, plus a Riccarton submission.

The Riccarton part goes further to support the district community council

concept it claims was outlined by the Minister of Local Government, Dr Bassett. In Dr Bassett’s address to local authorities last month, he said that community councils would be provided for in reorganisation because the Government believed decisions must be made at a local level, the submission said.

The council called on the commission to support Dr Bassett's comments by setting up a Riccarton District Community Council to preserve the Riccarton “community of interest.” The submission argues the Riccarton “community

of interest” is much wider than just the area within Riccarton Borough boundaries.

The Riccarton Primary School, Riccarton High School, Riccarton Racecourse, and domain are presented as major centres in the wider “community of interest” that should be considered in reorganisation. “It. is highly probable the ongoing development of the Riccarton town centre, widely considered to be an admirable model for other communities to copy, would not have even started if Riccarton was just another suburb of Christchurch,” the submission said.