Christchurch’s flatwater sports groups propose partial straightening of the Avon River course

Christchurch’s flatwater sports groups have submitted a proposal to Christchurch City Council to straighten the course of the Ōtākaro Avon River north of Kerrs Reach to improve the safety and capacity of flatwater sports groups who regularly use the river.

Canterbury Rowing manager and flatwater sports spokesperson, Logan Keys explains that preliminary technical advice they have received indicates that adding a cut to the river and creating an island would improve the safety and capacity of flatwater sports groups who regularly use the Ōtākaro Avon River.

Keys advises “we’re in dire need of a safe training space and the preliminary advice suggests this cut would improve the health and safety issues we face. The advice also indicates that the island could establish an ecological sanctuary and improve the area’s īnanga spawning habitat.”

 Christchurch City Council Head of Parks, Andrew Rutledge advised that Council’s Regeneration Plan encourages looking at ways to increase the capacity of flatwater sports so these groups can use the river safely and adds “the proposal meets several objectives of the Regeneration Plan, such as practising mahinga kai, regenerating nature and living with water. It’s still in its very early stages, but we’re keen to understand the full effects and benefits the proposal could provide for the community and the native flora and fauna.”

The Council is also in discussions with flatwater sports groups to relocate their on-land facilities to more suitable land directly across the river from their current base at Porritt Park.

The relocation would also enable the Council to repurpose the Porritt Park site for a future riverside landing.

The flatwater sports proposal is not related to a previous campaign for a 2.2km international rowing lake in the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor Regeneration Area.

Image courtesy Canterbury Rowing Club