Canterbury Railway Society Inc

News

Heathcote Valley Park Development Plans Unveiled

9/2/2002

Members of the Ferrymead Park community recently met with the Christchurch City Council to discuss the Heathcote Valley Park development which will involve land surrounding Ferrymead Heritage Park. The development takes into account the proximity of Ferrymead, the Gondola and the Heathcote River which gives the area high recreational and conservational values.

The main elements of the HVP development include:

• Sports field, waterway and flood plain wetland development
• Golf course and driving range
• Proposed Tamaki Tours Maori village

Areas of land close to the Park that will be utilised in the planned developments include the land west of the railway line between Clem's Crossing and Truscotts Crossing for the driving range and golf course, and Wood Hill plus the old main carpark on Bridle Path Road for the Maori Village development which will overlook our railway line and the Heathcote River. Other land will be used for sports field and wetland developments.

The development provides a buffer zone around the Park which could have caused problems if the land had been sold for residential subdivision. As it stands the use of the land for recreational and commercial purposes as proposed is complementary to the existing Park operation and provides for the purposeful use of land that has been a weed covered eyesore for many years.

The City Council has established a website for the development (Click here). Public submissions on the plan close on 28 February 2002.