27 Mar 2014

New Brighton taking future into its own hands

11:53 am on 27 March 2014

A group of New Brighton property owners plans to start a new business to revitalise the coastal suburb of Christchurch, using funding from international and national sources.

Tony Brooks of Rotorua, who owns a business in New Brighton, said a company he has founded called Strategic Urban Rejuvenation Force or Surf will be launched in about three weeks' time.

The company will launch an international fund-raising campaign to raise between $2 - $4 million and will ask the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority to match the amount.

Mr Brooks said the eastern suburbs have waited three years for help from the city council but have received nothing.

He said key projects would include 16 temporary stores, markets and an artificial wave garden.