This is a collaborative game plan to support a flourishing music ecosystem in Christchurch as well as a flourishing nighttime economy. The time is now – musicians need supported pathways, venues need confidence that their investments will be supported with planning provisions appropriate for the kind of vibrant night time culture our city needs, and the construction of the new arena right in SALT District is triggering the review of the current District Plan provisions for noise. This working group is being led by James Meharry (RDU 98.5FM), Patrick Fontein (Studio D4), Anthony Gough (The Terrace) and Ross Herrick (Dux Central), supported by the hospitality and venue owners of SALT District and other mixed-use entertainment areas in the central city, such as along the Terrace, Victoria Street and New Regent Street. Advocacy has already included one submission, extra research is underway, and James is working with the music industry to let us know which infrastructure and other pieces of the puzzle are needed for our city’s musical ecosystem to thrive. We are interested to know which local governments invest in employing staff who specialise in the night time economy and whose role it is to support vibrancy.
If you have case studies to share, please sing out! weare@saltdistrict.nz
If you are interested to follow how this project develops, be sure to check back here soon for a post by James Meharry on behalf of the working group.
Laura Taylor is Principal Placemaking Advisor at Ōtākaro Ltd, a Crown-owned development company based in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
