Tuesday, November 25, 2008
I’m delighted to welcome everyone to the launch of the draft Vision CBD 2030. It is a very important document and I thank you for coming along tonight.
It is a long-term vision – that’s why we have called the project Vision CBD 2030. Having a vision enables us to plan ahead, and identify and address important changes and trends as well as future risks.
The aim is to create a vibrant heart for Hutt City that is safe, inclusive, creative, innovative and sustainable. But most importantly, this heart needs to reflect the needs, values and desires of all Hutt City residents by balancing people’s needs for fun and work, be sympathetic to the city's history and natural environment, and ensuring that it evolves and provides for generations to come.
As you can see around you, some local artists have enthusiastically brought their creative energy into our Vision and came up with the idea of a “10 minute CBD Vision Walk” – connecting this space with two other sites – i-SITE and the ground floor of the War Memorial Library. We warmly invite everyone to take that walk and enjoy the exhibits.
The draft Vision document contains the ideas people who attended the Council’s public workshops shared with us – many of you are here tonight – as well as input from local iwi and the business community. Some of the ideas and outputs from the workshops are on display here tonight.
Council recognises the vision for the CBD is not something it will achieve on its own – nor does it wish to. We want to continue to have a dialogue with residents, businesses, developers, community networks, government agencies and other interested parties to take our shared vision of our CBD to the next stage.
We therefore encourage you to pick up a copy of the draft Vision document (if you haven’t already) and take the time to read through it and provide feedback in the questionnaire attached. Share your ideas around and tell your friends and networks about it. We would like as many people as possible to provide submissions. Council will then make final changes to reflect the public’s wishes, adopt it, and begin the process of implementing it.
Our shared Vision will be the beginning of a journey towards a future CBD that we can all be proud of. Thank you again for coming along tonight, and for your support of Vision CBD 2030.