Submitter
Submission id number: 964603
Submitter name:
Brendan Christie
Organisation
Do you want to speak to Councillors at the hearings?
No
Supporting information
No associated documents with this submission.
Submission
How are we doing? Is there anything you would like to tell us?
Council has done their best to steer us through difficult times. Moving forward I would love for us to take a really hard look at NZ arts and entertainment culture and take steps to ensure hospitality that provide entertainment and encourage drinking in moderation be given priority, preferential support and incentive to direct people from simply getting drunk. We need to take the lead in NZ, very few other centres are doing anything about this of meaning. This includes, but is not limited to, music venues, theatres and 'outside the box' art exhibitions and events. Let's get our own people supporting our own arts and culture.
What other ideas should we be thinking about to include in future plans for our city?
Aside from the transportation and infrastructure upgrades which I wholly support, redevelopment of the wharf area would be a natural stepping stone. We are one of the few seaside cities that has not made the most of our beautiful harbourside and this could be improved. We should take a chance to make this city a unique and charismaric place that is welcoming and fun... Drawing people to this isolated corner of the world.
Having stronger connections between our schools and council plans could engage our young people and provide better opportunities to make a change as well.