2025 - 2028 Commitments for Halswell
Accessibility
Halswell should be accessible for everyone regardless of their age or physical ability and I commit to treating this as a priority. I see this as a basic right, not a nice to have.
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Connecting communities with basic infrastructure
Council finally has a new footpath budget and programme that starts getting rolled out in 2025.
I commit to advocating for the priority areas in Halswell that need this the most.
Safe access around Halswell schools
It should be safe for families to walk to school. I was able to do this walking to Oaklands School as a child and Council has dropped the ball in not ensuring many of our new families are able to do the same.
I commit to continue making progress on this.
2025 - 2028 Commitments for Halswell
Halswell High School
The time has come to convince the Ministry of Education to secure land for a high school in Halswell.
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The projections and equation are now obvious. With another 3500-4300+ homes still to come in Halswell and even more in Prebbleton, the area is going to need a high school.
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I commit to launching a campaign in early 2026 demanding that land is secured.
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I'm aware this isn't the role of a Councillor but the need is obvious, this does impact our residents, does impact our road network and if I don't do this then who will?
Growth Paying for Growth
There at least another 3500 homes still to come in Halswell. There are two current consent applications that could turn this number into 4300.
Each new build pays a significant amount in development contributions towards local infrastructure. We need to ensure these funds get invested both wisely and locally, ensuring they don't get spent in other parts of Christchurch and leaving us with an infrastructure deficit for existing ratepayers to pay the bill to fix later on.
Visibilty & Engagment
I hosted more than 50 drop-in clinics and hosted 10 public meetings in this term of Council. I commit to beating these numbers in the next term.
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I intend to innovate and explore new methods of communication to ensure I'm reaching all ages and demographics of our community including those who wouldn't usually ever hear from their local representative let alone have any clue who they even are.
2025 - 2028 Commitments for Halswell
Support Local Campaign
I commit to launching new initiatives and campaigns designed to support Halswell and Wigram businesses, the first being in November 2025.
SH75
I commit to continuing to advocate for much need upgrades at the Halswell Road/Larsens intersection along with the Halswell/Halswell Junction/Sparks Road intersection.
Fixing our roads properly the first time
This should go without saying. The Halswell Junction Road debacle was unacceptable and lessons need to have been learnt from it. ​​
2025 - 2028 Environmental Commitments for Halswell
Increasing tree canopy cover
Although we are blessed with many beautiful green spaces. Halswell has one of the lowest tree canopy covers.
I support increasing our tree canopy cover and planting the right tree in the right place so new nuisances aren't created from leaves blocking drainage or roots ripping up footpaths.
Improving recycling facilities
I commit to advocating for improved recycling facilities in Halswell.
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As an example, there are no battery recycling drop-off points in the south-west despite the large population.
Expecting residents to reduce their environmental impact by driving across town to recycle their batteries is contradictory.
Providing low-emission transport options
Yes, in our case this really can be as simple as footpaths.
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Families shouldn't have to drive to their nearest park, shops or school if they don't want to and yet many do because they don't have pedestrian access to nearby amenities.
Furthermore, a high school in Halswell would significantly reduce our transport emissions and indeed congestion with less parents driving their kids to Hillmorton different schools all over Christchurch.
2025 - 2028 Personal Commitments
Working with everyone
I commit to continuing to work with Council colleagues, MPs & Ministers from across the political spectrum collaboratively.
I will work with whoever the people of our city and country elect in local or general elections to get positive outcomes.
Transparency
I commit to continuing to uphold a high level of transparency over my decision making and what is happening around our community.
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I commit to supporting a new Council website tool that makes it easier for residents to learn how Councillors have voted on decisions.
Availability
I commit to remaining available at all possible times to assist residents with queries and local issues.
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I have no other work or side hustle commitments outside of this job.
2025 - 2028 Christchurch Commitments
Vibrant Nighttime Economy
We need a vibrant city and now have the opportunity to make ours the most vibrant in the country.
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The new stadium presents a hugely exciting opportunity but our cities reputation will be tarnished if the surrounding businesses are forced to close due to the current rules which allow someone to move in next door to a live music venue and making a noise complaint the same day.
The Central City Noise Plan Change (PC21) currently underway is a decision that will make or break our cities nighttime economy for generations to come.
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Night Mayor
I support appointing (or electing) a Night Mayor for Christchurch.
This has been hugely successful in other cities throughout the world.
Many of our businesses operate at night and would benefit from the advocacy of a night mayor.
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Many of our employees work nights and deserve to be safe getting to and from their place of work, including those at our hospital or hospitality businesses.
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Economic & Cultural Powerhouse
I support Christchurch setting its sights on becoming the Arts & Creative capital of New Zealand that everyone wants to visit and attend events in.
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The Arts & Creative sector contributes more than $17 Billion to the New Zealand economy, makes up 4.2% of GDP while employing more than 120,000 people.
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The opportunity for economic growth here is hugely significant with world-class facilities & venues coming online in our city alongside jawdropping murals throughout our streetscapes.
We've got the largest music festival in Australasia along with the only covered stadium in Australasia that's been designed to provide good acoustics for concerts. The sky is truly the limit for this city in the event space.
Furthermore, I support working to secure successful bids to bring an NRL & A-League team to Christchurch. Combined, they would secure more than 20 stadium events every year and bring significant economic growth alongside increased visitor nights and new investment. They would also benefit our grassroots sport clubs.