Living Streets Aotearoa
Canterbury Branch
AIMS
- To
promote walking as a healthy, environmentally friendly and universal means of
transport and recreation in Canterbury.
- To
promote the social and economic benefits of pedestrian-friendly communities in
our region.
- To work
for improved access and conditions for walkers, pedestrians and runners e.g.
walking surfaces, traffic flows, speed and safety.
- To
advocate for greater representation of walker and pedestrian concerns in urban
and regional land use and transport planning and, as appropriate, at a
national level.
- To
liaise with other groups, locally, nationally and internationally, to further
the objects of the Society.
- To build
up an effective supporter base in the Canterbury Region.
PROGRESS
- 14-10-03 Wendy Everingham organised a
meeting at the Christchurch City Council to establish if a walking advocacy
group is needed for the Canterbury region. A broad range of stakeholders
attended the meeting. Councillors, council staff, academics, transport
consultants, ECAN, LTSA, members of the public. There was broad consensus that
an advocacy group was needed. New government policy on sustainable transport
initiatives means walking issues will receive a higher profile. Input will be
needed form many stakeholders to enhance the walking environment.
- Celia Wade Brown a Wellington City
Councillor and founding member of walking advocacy group Living Streets
Aotearoa gave a detailed presentation at this meeting on what a walking
advocacy group does and how a Canterbury branch of this organization is
needed. Celia was very supportive of a Canterbury group affiliating with the
National Organisation.
- Wendy Everingham and Simon Rutherford
volunteered to establish a Walking Advocacy Group for the Canterbury Region.
- Wendy and Simon would like the Walking
Advocacy group to become part of the Living Streets Aoteroa network. We propose
that the group be called Living Streets Aotearoa – Canterbury Branch.
- 11-11-03 ECAN facilitates a walking focus
group. In part to develop principles for their Walking Transport Policy and to
make more people aware about the development of the Canterbury Walking Advocacy
group.
- Wendy and Simon are gradually connecting
with groups in the region to notify them that a Walking Advocacy group is
beginning. To date contacts have been made with Residents Associations in the
Christchurch region, people who have attended walking meetings sponsored by the
regional and local councils and politicians.
- In the New Year we propose a public meeting
to ratify the existence of the Walking Advocacy Group, select office bearers and
commence a work program to further our aims. We envisage the organization to be
run like the Bicycle Advocacy Group Spokes. Apart from a formal AGM each year,
most contact will be via Email.
- If you would like to become involved or simply want more
information, please contact either Wendy or Simon.
CONTACTS
Wendy Everingham wendy.everingham [at] livingstreets.org.nz Ph 328 0359
Simon Rutherford simonrutherford [at] paradise.net.nz Ph 351 8224
(replace [at] by @ in the email addresses)
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