ECS Village: The Aquaponics team saw three aquaponic systems that could be possibly... -
The Aquaponics team saw three aquaponic systems that could be possibly incorporated into the systems at ECHS and ECMS. We met David, who led us around. We took notes and gained more ideas. We have to figure out how exactly aquaponic systems work. Next weekend there is an aquaponic workshop where…
(Source: ecsgreenambassadors)
LATEST: A prominent central Christchurch band rotunda will be pulled down, officials have announced.
The Thomas Edmonds band rotunda in Cambridge Tce will take about two weeks to come down.
It follows yesterday’s release of a raft of demolition orders for significant historic buildings in Christchurch, some of which defy recommendations from New Zealand’s top heritage body to save them.
This morning, the Christchurch City Council, which owns the rotunda, said it had received a section 38 notice from the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera) because the iconic venue was considered dangerous.
The band rotunda was significantly damaged in the February 2011 earthquake and suffered further structural damage and significant land damage in aftershocks.
Council manager Alan Beuzenberg said the building was now in “a dangerous state”.
“This means that the best and safest option is for the building to come down,” he said.
The rotunda is listed as a group 2 protected place in the Christchurch city plan and registered with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust as a category 2 historic place.
It was given to the city in 1929 by Thomas Edmonds as part of the commemoration activities that marked his 50 years of business in Christchurch. It was converted into a restaurant in 1986, ending its days as the upmarket Retour Restaurant.
Beuzenberg said a recovery, deconstruction and protection plan had been developed with the council’s heritage team to deconstruct and remove the structurally sound dome and roof and to salvage samples of the less damaged columns, balustrades, steps, plinth and basement.
“While the building cannot be saved, it is hoped the deconstruction process will enable the careful recording and retrieval of some heritage details as safety considerations allow,” Beuzenberg said.
Although the council had already undertaken engineering and geotechnical investigations on the site when the Cera notice was received, no decision had been made about the rotunda’s future. Options for the rebuild of the rotunda would be considered, Beuzenberg said.
␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
It will be very similar to the way it is at present, but improved in the following ways:
␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
insects, but the number of exotic waterfowl may be managed.
- The traditional value of the river corridor as a source of mahinga kai (food gathering) will be celebrated
- The berms will continue to be carpeted with lawns in many places and dotted with spreading deciduous trees.
- There will continue to be groups of colourful exotic shrubs, bedding displays and ground covers.
- There will be more indigenous plants, along the banks, in berms and in groups mixed with the exotic plants.
- There will be more features celebrating the natural and cultural heritage of the river and the city.
- More people of all sorts will use the river and the berms for recreation;
␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
- Cars, buses and taxis will continue to drop off and collect visitors to the river corridor; vehicles will continue to use the one-way arterial streets, with the passengers enjoying views of the river, trees and lawns.
Natural heritage
Protect and improve the health and bounty of the waterway.
Cultural heritage
Acknowledge, manage, link, interpret and add to the existing cultural heritage of the waterway, its berms, and associated heritage places and features, in an integrated manner, as a commemoration of the cultural evolution of the city and its citizens.
Garden City image
Continue to combine the indigenous and exotic vegetation of the river berms as a demonstration of the distinctive Christchurch Garden City image.
Urban legibility
Emphasise and celebrate the contrast between the natural, meandering, leafy character of the corridor and the hard urban character of the surrounding grid streets and buildings.
Use and enjoyment
Improve the use, enjoyment, celebration and understanding of the river and its setting, to be freely available as a safe and welcoming place for the pleasure, relaxation and inspiration of citizens and visitors.
