Post in High Rises at the beach. Plan Change 27

2007 Sep 07 10:54 UTC

Kia ora taatou, hi all.

Congratulations to Dan and everyone who founded this excellent forum. It is
apparent that this electronic sharing of views is the most advanced medium we
have today for expressing local democracy. A development most welcome.

Please excuse my lack of an introductory post at this point, because I have
another ten days' work I must clear before I can fully engage with the CPI
Forum. But there is a little I can add to Marcus's excellent summary of the
situation facing the New Brighton community, to move the discussion forward. As
a candidate for ECan Christchurch East - so having joined representative work
there - I would like to support Marcus with the informational issue he raises:

i) The development of New Brighton edges forward, with blocks of housing lined
up for replacement. Developers aren't happy with the proposed plan - to spread
low-rise in a medium-length block along Marine Parade only - because it would
create a 'city wall' in front of an expanse of "peasant housing". This mix of
values they see as undesirable.

ii) The lowering of the dunes has begun. This may surprise many, but I'm told
it has been permitted by the (City?) Council to a level of "eight metres above
mean sea level to be effective against storms".
http://www.ecan.govt.nz/Our+Environment/Coast/Our-coastline/Pegasus+Bay/Peg-bay-environment.htm

Residents near North New Brighton Surf Club are distraught at the sudden damage
to grasses, habitat, tracks, and dune-protection structures built by the
Council - with now wasted rate-payer funds - just last year. 'The road is three
metres above mean sea level,' reducing dunes to a maximum of 5m above there,
say developers. Yet 'Brighton Mall is just 2.5m above level,' say others.

iii) $50,000 is added to an apartment's value when it gains a view of the sea,
by this means, I am told.

Hoping that this presentation of coastal housing issues has been entirely
factual, I look forward to further discussions in due course.

Kind Regards & ka kite,

Richard Tindall

SaveOurWater.org.nz candidate for ECan Christchurch East