The meeting was very well attended with about 100 people filling the hall. The
theme of the meeting was 'Visions of Lyttelton' with six speakers bringing
their particular expertise. It was chaired by Kennedy Graham (ChCh Green Party
list MP).
Tutehounuku Korako spoke on behalf of Rapaki runanga and Ngai Tahu. He
explained the effects of the quakes on Rapaki, and the need for relocation of
housing there. He stressed that the runanga were part of community solutions
and wanted to work closely with others.
Ian McCahon (GeoTech) provided a succinct explanation of the geological
history of the Peninsula, the origins of the recent quakes and the complexity
of dealing with rockfall hazards.
Peter Rough outlined the essential landscape characteristics of the Lyttelton
township and features that needed to be preserved or enhanced. He presented a
range of ideas on how to better integrate the town and the harbour side.
Stewart Ross talked about the architectural character of the town, its key
historic features and potential for rebuilding. He suggested that there was
strength in diversity and that planning for rebuilding should not be too
prescriptive.
Peter Evans use the history of the Volcano Restaurant (sadly no more) to talk
about how groups in the community could assist each other. That the vibrant
artistic and cultural side of Lyttelton needed venues for people to gather and
that cooperation was needed to enable building owners to have the certainty to
redevelop.
Paula Smith form the Community Board provided a succinct summary of the Board's
engagement to date and what the various public meetings had contributed. The CB
have provided a report reflecting the views of the community, to the Minister,
CERA and the Council and are expecting further involvement in planning for the
rebuild.
After a tea break a smaller group remained to put questions to the panel
members and then Margaret Jefferies (Project Lyttelton) summed up at the end,.
The meeting demonstrated the keen ongoing interest of the local community in
contributing to the rebuild of Lyttelton and other areas. A common theme was
that professional experts, landowners, business people, local artists, the
Council and others all need to work together if the necessary initiatives to
make best use of vacant sites were to succeed.
Cheers Richard Suggate