Redcliffs
Encyclopedia
Redcliffs is an outer coastal suburb of Christchurch
, Canterbury, New Zealand
.
and is the suburb immediately before Sumner
. Alternatively, Redcliffs can be accessed through McCormack's Bay Road, which circles the perimeter of the Avon Heathcote Estuary (CCC, 1984). The coastal road from Redcliffs to Sumner allows for further access to the port and suburb of Lyttelton
and the Port Hills, and an alternative - if long - route to the city centre.
Redcliffs and the surrounding hills suffered significant damage. Tens of houses were deemed unlivable and hundreds more damaged. There was a large scale evacuation of several streets in Redcliffs at 10pm on Thursday Feb 24th after some cliffs surrounding Redcliffs were deemed unstable. The following morning, a few streets or partial streets remained cordoned off but many people were able to return to their homes immediately. http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/46926.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-asia-pacific-12563177
By March 7, detailed geotechnical inspections of the affected land inside the remaining cordons began with a view to removing them. They were removed on March 8.
In the meanwhile, Redcliffs citizens experiencing a near-total information vacuum from officialdom launched a local information centre on Feb 26, followed by a regular newsletter from Feb 27, followed by two support websites.http://webcentre.co.nz/quake.htm
On Wednesday March 2, Redcliffs resident Peter Hyde launched a viral call to encourage more support - especially key supplies and information - for the worst affected Eastern suburbs of Christchurch. In particular those to the north of Redcliffs such as Parklands, Aranui, Bromley, Avonside, Bexley and New Brighton.
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, Canterbury, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
Location
The suburb is most directly accessed from the city centre by a causeway that crosses the Avon Heathcote EstuaryAvon Heathcote Estuary
The Avon Heathcote Estuary is the largest semi-enclosed shallow estuary in Canterbury and remains one of New Zealand’s most important coastal wetlands. It is well known as an internationally important habitat for migratory birds, and it is an important recreational playground and educational resource...
and is the suburb immediately before Sumner
Sumner, New Zealand
Sumner is a coastal seaside suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand and was surveyed and named in 1849 in honour of John Bird Sumner, the then newly appointed Archbishop of Canterbury and president of the Canterbury Association...
. Alternatively, Redcliffs can be accessed through McCormack's Bay Road, which circles the perimeter of the Avon Heathcote Estuary (CCC, 1984). The coastal road from Redcliffs to Sumner allows for further access to the port and suburb of Lyttelton
Lyttelton, New Zealand
Lyttelton is a port town on the north shore of Lyttelton Harbour close to Banks Peninsula, a suburb of Christchurch on the eastern coast of the South Island of New Zealand....
and the Port Hills, and an alternative - if long - route to the city centre.
Geology
Redcliffs is characterised by rocky, hilly geography and has many natural caves in its sides. The domineering cliffs of Redcliffs are a snapshot of the region's volcanic origins. The cliffs are tinged with solid red magma; the suburb draws its name from this the most notable of its physical features.Demographics
The suburb is affluent by New Zealand standards and property values are relatively high, with the average house costing NZ$450,000 in 2006 (source: Real Estate Institute of New Zealand). Redcliffs has a significant number of Baby Boomers.Recreation
One of Redcliffs' best features is Barnett Park, a park open to public access, and a product of the earliest council recreation planning in the wider Christchurch region (CCC, 1984).2011 Christchurch earthquake
In contrast to the September 2010 earthquake2010 Canterbury earthquake
The 2010 Canterbury earthquake was a 7.1 magnitude earthquake, which struck the South Island of New Zealand at 4:35 am on local time ....
Redcliffs and the surrounding hills suffered significant damage. Tens of houses were deemed unlivable and hundreds more damaged. There was a large scale evacuation of several streets in Redcliffs at 10pm on Thursday Feb 24th after some cliffs surrounding Redcliffs were deemed unstable. The following morning, a few streets or partial streets remained cordoned off but many people were able to return to their homes immediately. http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/46926.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-asia-pacific-12563177
By March 7, detailed geotechnical inspections of the affected land inside the remaining cordons began with a view to removing them. They were removed on March 8.
In the meanwhile, Redcliffs citizens experiencing a near-total information vacuum from officialdom launched a local information centre on Feb 26, followed by a regular newsletter from Feb 27, followed by two support websites.http://webcentre.co.nz/quake.htm
On Wednesday March 2, Redcliffs resident Peter Hyde launched a viral call to encourage more support - especially key supplies and information - for the worst affected Eastern suburbs of Christchurch. In particular those to the north of Redcliffs such as Parklands, Aranui, Bromley, Avonside, Bexley and New Brighton.