Submission from Spokes Canterbury
Reference: https://letstalk.ccc.govt.nz/annualplan
March 2026
Tēnā koutou katoa
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the CCC Draft Annual Plan 2026-27
Introduction
Spokes Canterbury (http://www.spokes.org.nz/) is a local cycling advocacy group with approximately 1,300 followers. Spokes is affiliated with the national Cycling Action Network (CAN – https://can.org.nz/). Spokes is dedicated to including cycling as an everyday form of transport in the greater Christchurch and Canterbury areas. Spokes has a long history of advocacy in this space including writing submissions, presenting to councils, and working collaboratively with others in the active transport space. We focus on the need for safe cycling for those aged 8 to 80. Spokes also supports all forms of active transport, public transport, and has an interest in environmental matters.
Rates
Do you support our proposed average rates increase of 7.96% across all ratepayers (which is higher than the 5.80% signalled in the Long Term Plan 2024–34) and an average residential rates increase of 7.4%?
Yes
Do you have any comments on the proposed average rates increase?
Spokes supports the rate increases. We need to continue to invest in services that are needed in our communities, and continue to build for the future. Deferring this infrastructure will only lead to higher overall rates in the long term, and puts the burden on future generations. Well-targeted capital expenditure that improves the daily lives of residents is critical to creating a vibrant and connected city. The cycling infrastructure is attracting new rate-paying residents to our city.
Interest in cycling in Christchurch is surging due to the rising cost, and possible restricted access, to fossil fuels. Building cycling infrastructure continues to be a very good investment as it reduces our reliance on fossil fuels. Temporary cycling infrastructure similar to Park Terrace can be built quickly to cater to this demand.
This is the time to be bold and build more cycling and active transport infrastructure.
The Climate Resilience Fund
Which option do you support for the Climate Resilience Fund?
Continue with the planned 0.25% rates increase in 2026/27, and apply an additional 0.25% each year of the Long Term Plan.
Do you have any comments about the options for the Climate Resilience Fund?
We are already seeing increased intensity of climate events and this will only get worse. We would encourage the City Council to front load critical resilience investments because of the shortsighted proposed legislated rates cap which will knee cap critical spending required to keep our city running.
Contestable community grants
Which option do you support for contestable community grants?
Provide $7.12 million in funding for contestable community grants in 2026/27, as planned.
Do you have any comments about the options for contestable community grants in 2026/27?
Community organisations are struggling in the current financial climate as donors are more reluctant to give in uncertain times. The Council gets very good value from this activity.
The Environmental Partnerships Fund
Which option do you support for the Environmental Partnerships Fund?
Proceed with the planned $300,000 increase to the Environmental Partnerships Fund.
Do you have any comments about the options for the Environmental Partnerships Fund?
This fund provided significant benefits to the city. Partnering with community groups is a very effective way to make the investment by the Council go further. Groups like Pest Free Banks Peninsula, the Styx Living Laboratory and the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River Network are critical to making our city a pleasant and inclusive place to live
Capital Programme
Transport
Do you have any comments on the proposed changes to our spending on transport (e.g. roads, footpaths, cycleways)?
We would like the council to be bold and invest heavily in cycling infrastructure in the annual plan. The most recent fuel crises, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Iran, have highlighted how reckless it is to base our entire economy on the import of fuels that have single points of failure. The long term effects of the damage to fossil fuel infrastructure in the Middle East will be major and structural. We strongly suggest that the City Council explore quickbuild options (like Park Terrace) to get safe connected infrastructure built in this financial year to provide alternatives for those who would consider riding a bike, but won’t currently due to the safety concern of vehicles. This should not be at the expense of the continued major cycleway builds. Temporary builds also provide an opportunity to see how a particular cycleway is working and adapt the plan for permanent infrastructure when it goes in.
The diversity of cyclists is increasing. There are more cargo bikes, trikes and an array of mobility devices using cycleways. There are more bikes carrying young children on the front or back. More children are biking to school. Cycleways are getting busy and at peak times are crowded, particularly at intersections. There will be more scooters in cyclelanes when it becomes legal. Existing cycleways and intersections will need to be upgraded to handle this volume and diversity of use.
Public Transport use is also increasing. A cheap quick win to improve PT is to extend the clearway time for buses which has the added benefit of making the route faster and safer for commuter cyclists. There are a lot of bus stops that have no benches let alone shelters, including around schools. Some shelters should also have bike parking, particularly in poorly resourced areas such as Hornby, Halswell and Yaldhurst.
Spokes has concerns about the removal of projects in the budget. There is a lack of detail and transparency on what individual projects relate to and what work is planned to be cut when the budget is reduced. Deferring important upgrades will cost more in the long run.
- Selwyn Street Masterplan (26622) – This provides an important upgrade to a busy area.
- Cathedral Square funding – This could be cheaply improved by removing through traffic
- Northern Corridor Improvements (41973) – There has been a noticeable increase in cyclists using this path. These upgrades should be retained
- Radcliffe Road Improvement – we assume this is delayed due to KiwiRail rather than the project being downgraded. We would like this built as consulted on.
- Pages Road Bridge Renewal is probably dependent on NZTA, however we would like to see the other roads upgraded as consulted on.
- Spokes is pleased to see that the Nor’West Arc (23101) continues to be funded.
- South Express Hei Hei to Jones Road (26608) has been pushed out. Spokes prefers this to go ahead as planned.
- It is unclear why $3,855,000 has been removed from the Northern Line and Nor’West Arc Programme funding (1986 and 1993)
- Scruttons Road KiwiRail Crossing being pushed out is sensible as there are other higher safety priorities for cyclists that need to be addressed first.
- There is no programme funding for safety upgrades around schools in 2026/27. This should be an ongoing programme as new issues are identified.
- Amyes Road is a high priority that Spokes would like to see delivered earlier rather than later.
- Simeon Street is also a major connector for cyclists. The timing probably depends on the Broughham St bridge but this is a high priority as well.
- South Express (81757) has lost funding but it is unclear what the funding was for and what are the implications of the removal.
- The PT Futures programme (78851), including the MRT, should be pulled forward.
The operational budget is equally important. Small things can make a big difference to cycling in the city. Speed reductions, pedestrian/cyclist refuges across busy streets, bike parking at popular destinations, removing staples and bollards in alleyways, signage and way-finding, improved lighting, greater enforcement of parking at school entrances and in cycleways, flexi-posts on left hand bends, cleaning up glass and debris in cycle lanes, and smooth transitions, to name a few.
Parks
Do you have any comments on the proposed changes to our spending on parks?
Parks are an important way to get around the city and learn to ride safely using active transport. Spokes supports upgrades to shared paths within parks, lighting upgrades, and more bike parking, particularly near sports areas and playgrounds.
Parking at events should also be increased, including more permanent cycle parking in Hagley Park, e.g. near Hagley Oval and the Entertainment Triangle.
Other capital
Do you have any comments on the proposed changes to our spending in other areas of the capital programme?
None
Potential disposal of Council-owned properties
Do you support the Council selling these properties?
In part.
Do you have any comments about selling these properties? Or are there any you’d like the Council to retain and, if so, why?
Before selling any land each parcel should be reviewed to see if the whole or part of the land could be used to create green space (more and more important as we build denser living) and a connection or cut-through that would benefit pedestrians and cyclists.
Anything else?
Is there anything else that you would like to tell us about the direction of the Draft Annual Plan or our proposed changes to spending in 2026/27?
We are in a cost of living crisis, but we are also in climate, fuel and biodiversity crises. Trying to save money now will only cost us more down the line. Actions now to improve equitable access to safe and affordable transport options with co-benefits of increased green space where possible, should be brought forward, not deferred.
I would like the opportunity to present to the Christchurch City Council on this submission and I am happy to discuss or clarify any issues that arise.
Ngā mihi nui
Submissions Co-ordinator
Spokes Canterbury
submissions@spokes.org.nz
