Council updates  |  22 Aug 2019

Christchurch City Council has signalled it wants to fast-track work on improving the warmth and dryness of its social housing stock and has asked staff to investigate options for borrowing the money required for the work.

Regulations require landlords to ensure all rental properties meet minimum insulation standards. However, some of the social housing units owned by the Council are exempt from those 2016 regulations because the nature of their construction means they cannot be insulated without major building works.

New standards that come into effect this year also require landlords to improve heating, ventilation, drainage and draught stopping by 1 July 2023.

Today, the Council discussed options for improving the warmth and dryness of its social housing units.

It has asked staff to investigate the possibility of the Council borrowing the money required for the building work so that heating, ventilation and insulation improvements for the exempt units can be undertaken by the end of 2020.

Staff will bring a report on the financing options to the 12 September Council meeting. 

Hagley Oval

The Council is still considering what feedback it should provide on a draft proposal which could ultimately result in additional, permanent lighting being installed at Hagley Oval.

It is one of several statutory partners asked by Regenerate Christchurch to give feedback on a draft proposal to use the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Act 2016 to make changes to the regulations governing the use and operation of the Oval.

Regenerate Christchurch has put forward the draft proposal on behalf of the Canterbury Cricket Trust.  

At its meeting today Mayor Lianne Dalziel and Councillors listened to several deputations on the issue.  They also received technical advice from both Regenerate Christchurch and Council staff on the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Act and the Reserves Act processes that will need to be followed, depending on the final version of the proposal.

The Council will consider the amended feedback next week.

New arts strategy endorsed

A new arts strategy for Christchurch has been endorsed by the Council.

The strategy, Toi Ōtautahi–Christchurch Arts, is the first of its kind in New Zealand and was co-created by the arts sector in partnership with funding agencies and the Council. 

Toi Ōtautahi–Christchurch Arts focuses on supporting artists, as well as recognising the arts are central to improving people’s wellbeing, sense of identity and connectivity; to activating and bringing life to the city; to attracting visitors; and to boosting the economy.