Busy Council meeting sees Annual Plan adopted and decision made on CBD land 

At this Wednesday’s Council meeting, Councillors adopted the Annual Plan 2025/26. It was a jam-packed meeting, and there were plenty of other interesting items on the agenda. 

The key decision at this week’s Council meeting was the adoption of the Annual Plan for 2025/26. This follows a robust public consultation process and strategic council deliberations that reflected the voices of communities across the region.  

Chair Craig Pauling began the meeting by speaking to the recent media coverage on resource management reforms and the future of regional councils.  

Chair Pauling noted that the Council has been discussing these issues for some time and was well placed to respond to reforms. He said that while it’s agreed the current structure of local government is unsustainable, “scrapping regional councils” is not the answer.  

Regardless of the changes the Government is proposing, Council is focusing on delivering the work we have to do right now, while being in a good position to have constructive discussions in the future.  

Learn more about Council’s position amidst significant reforms. 

Topics covered at the meeting

Public Forum - David Butler 

Mr Butler spoke to Council about nitrates and water quality.  

Notice of motion from Councillor Peter Scott – public transport 

Council received and voted on a notice of motion from Councillor Peter Scott. 

Cr Scott asked for a number of actions to be undertaken to progress the use of a body jointly governed between Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury. This body would enable more effective and efficient partnerships, planning, strategy and delivery of Public Transport operations and infrastructure in Christchurch.  

The notice of motion passed, and a report will now be provided to the 2025-2028 triennium Council seeking a decision in the first six months of 2026. 

Hurunui/Waiau Uwha Water Zone 2024/25 CWMS Action Plan budget 

Council endorsed six projects for delivery through the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS) Action Plan Budget in the Hurunui Waiau Uwha Water Zone in the 2024/25 financial year. 

Grant from Lyttelton Port Company to Whaka Ora-Healthy Harbour partnership 

Council approved delegated authority to receive and administer grant funding to the Whaka Ora-Healthy Harbour programme. 

Lyttelton Port Company wishes to give a one-off grant of $200,000 for the development of an estuary management tool. This is in addition to the $87,000 per year provided by Lyttelton Port Company to the Whaka-Ora Healthy Harbour programme. This funding would support expenditure over and above what was included in the Long-Term Plan for 2024/25 and, if successful, for 2025/26. 

Adoption of a communications policy for the pre-election period 

Council received the pre-election protocols for Councillors and kaimahi, and adopted the pre-election period for the Council for the period of 11 July to 11 October 2025. 

Election protocols are designed to make sure Council can maintain ordinary business and continue to meet its responsibilities, while ensuring Council resources are not used, or are not perceived to be used, to give electoral advantage to individual Council members. 

Establishing a pre-election communications policy is considered good practice for local authorities. 

Central business district landholdings 

Council has decided to sell through the open market via a tender process land in the vicinity of Tuam and Manchester Streets in Christchurch, which includes the Category 1 Heritage-listed Odeon Theatre building. 

Ahead of their decision, Councillors commented about it being a tough commercial decision and it was made with a “heavy heart”, but noted the terms of the sale and the heritage provisions should ensure the Odeon building is not demolished.

The decision to sell comes after an earlier process to seek long-term lease and development proposals, which did not identify a commercially viable option. 

Public Transport Asset Control Strategy 

Following consultation on the Regional Public Transport Plan in 2024, we will now engage with key stakeholders who are involved in the provision of public transport infrastructure to inform their strategy for long-term investment.

This includes supporting the transition to a zero-emissions fleet and a focus on network growth over the next 30 years. 

Miss the meeting? Watch the meeting back on our YouTube channel or download the agenda (PDF file, 10.5MB).