Construction of Christchurch's $100 million Avon River precinct began on Saturday, with Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee turning the first sod.
The first stage of the precinct is called Watermark, featuring boardwalks and more green space down to the water's edge. It will stretch along the riverbank between the Antigua Boatsheds and Montreal St.
Gerry Brownlee using a digger to turn the first sod for the Avon River precinct. Photo: RNZ
The entire precinct - the first of Christchurch's key anchor projects to get under way -
will be more than 3km long and is expected to be completed in about three years.
Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority general manager Warwick Isaacs says once Watermark is completed in about eight weeks, community feedback will influence how the rest of the precinct looks.
He says it will encourage businesses to develop near the river and take advantage of what will be a very attractive place to work.
Mayor Bob Parker says the start of work is an important milestone of the rebuild. He says the precinct will reconnect people with the Avon River, which used to be a vital part of the city but never really its focal point.
"The process here is around turning around to face the Avon River, recognising it as the wonderful resource that it is."
Mr Parker says it's important for people to see major projects like the precinct becoming more than just plans on paper.
