The Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the decision by the Christchurch City Council to prioritise key work in the final LTP agreed to today says CEO Leeann Watson.

“We welcome the decisions to accelerate the Stadium project, prioritise the improvement of our worst roads and footpaths, and deal with some of the flooding issues we have in the city. We also welcome the decision around the funding boost for ChristchurchNZ ensuring we can compete to attract major events and the economic benefits they provide to the city”

However, The Chamber is disappointed the Council has not been bolder in its approach.

“The Chamber’s submission on the Council’s Draft LTP 2018-2028 recommended the development of a new approach to maximise the release of capital from the assets the city owns and sought a commitment to developing an innovative approach to managing assets and services,” said Ms Watson

The Chamber’s submission on the Draft LTP recommended:

– A commitment to work at pace to get our city not only back to what we would expect from New Zealand’s second largest city, but one focussed on maximising opportunities to develop a vibrant, prosperous and sustainable 21st century city.

– A new approach to maximise the release of capital from the assets the city owns, and a commitment to developing an innovative approach to managing assets and services.

– A commitment to finding efficiencies in current spending.

– A strong pathway indicating investment in infrastructure to ensure we are on the events calendar again in Christchurch, and specifically the delivery of a Multi-Use Arena.

– Overall, a commitment to a new, innovative way of thinking that will ensure we can deliver on the vision that the Council is espousing.

“We’re pleased the Council supported some of the changes we advocated. However, we remain of the view that the changes we called for make the future vision of the city actually achievable and sustainable”

“We remain committed to working with the Mayor and the Council to achieve the vision they have laid out in the LTP, and we hope that this discussion we are calling for will occur in the near future,” said Leeann Watson.