Credit: Christchurch City Council
Christchurch is set to welcome a series of regeneration projects along the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor, as preliminary designs and details for the City to Sea Pathway, proposed developments at Kerrs Reach, and an estuarine wetland at Bexley have been unveiled.
Andrew Rutledge, Head of Parks, expressed excitement about sharing more information with the community and emphasized the progress being made on these key projects. Construction for the City to Sea Pathway, a centerpiece of the OARC Regeneration Plan, is slated to commence next summer.
The City to Sea Pathway, an 11 km shared-use, all-weather route, will largely follow the Ōtākaro Avon River from Barbadoes Street in the central city to Pages Road in New Brighton. Designed for everyone’s enjoyment, the Pathway will be supported by a network of minor paths connecting it to surrounding communities.
Credit: Christchurch City Council
Another highlight of the regeneration projects is a new footbridge at Dallington, designed in collaboration with students from the University of Canterbury. The footbridge will be part of the City to Sea Pathway and is funded by the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust.
Plans for a riverside landing at Kerrs Reach and the relocation of existing flatwater sports clubs’ facilities to the opposite side of the river are also in the works. These developments will necessitate a Christchurch District Plan change process that the Council will apply for. The new Wainoni riverside landing will feature a pavilion, a seasonal kiosk, outdoor spaces, an events area, river-viewing platforms, boardwalks, and cultural design elements.
Credit: Christchurch City Council
The estuarine wetland at Bexley, designed to improve stopbanks and stormwater treatment capabilities, will be developed alongside a project to upgrade the Pages Road bridge. The area will boast a riverside landing, shared path access, a protected bird roost/nesting site, and forested areas at the southern end of the wetland.
These regeneration projects promise to reshape the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor, creating inviting spaces for residents and visitors alike to enjoy Christchurch’s natural beauty.
