Greater Christchurch - Urban Development Strategy

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy?

It's a long-term planning strategy to prepare a consistent direction and plan for the growth and development of the greater Christchurch area, which encompasses an area beyond the existing city boundaries to include such townships as Rangiora, Woodend, Kaiapoi, and Rolleston.

What's the significance of the name?

The "Greater" refers to the wider area beyond the current city limits and plays on the meaning that we are also planning for a "great" place to live, work and play in. This greater area includes Rangiora, Woodend and Kaiapoi, with a flexible line beyond those towns to recognise residential areas such as Darfield, Oxford and other communities that have an impact on Christchurch. For Selwyn District, there's Rolleston and Lincoln, but Darfield is excluded. In Banks Peninsula , the harbour basin and Port Hills are included.

Who's involved?

The Christchurch City Council (including the former Banks Peninsula District Council), Selwyn and Waimakariri District Councils, Environment Canterbury (the Regional Council) and Transit New Zealand are partners in the project. The process is guided by a UDS Forum - made up of elected representatives from each participating authority and chaired by Bob Parker (formerly Mayor of Banks Peninsula District and now a Christchurch City Councillor). Other members of the UDS Forum include stakeholders such as the Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce, Federated Farmers, Ngai Tahu and the Ministry of Education.

Why are so many territorial authorities working together on the Greater Christchurch UDS?

The greater Christchurch area functions as a large social, economic, and cultural entity with many parts making up the whole and they are interrelated. The area draws on public resources such as water and air, which are not under the sole control of any one body, so the parties need to work together to find more effective, cooperative and consistent long-term answers for the future of Greater Christchurch.

Why is this project being undertaken now?

With growth comes an increasing need for communities to have stronger social, environmental and economic support. Planning for growth now helps safeguard our children's stake in their communities tomorrow. If we don't plan for future growth, we may discover too late:

  • that our main roads are congested with traffic,
  • our ill-planned subdivisions become tomorrow's slums,
  • our remaining natural environs disappear with the pressure of development, and
  • we pay greater prices for food products to be freighted in because valuable, productive farmland has been developed around Greater Christchurch.

What issues face Greater Christchurch ?

  • About 379,000 people live in Greater Christchurch today. By 2021, this same area will have grown to a population of 431,000, and by 2041 there'll be about 500,000 people. Such growth brings opportunities and problems.
  • Opportunities: more employment and lifestyle options, and better facilities and attractions.
  • Problems: would we have enough space and housing or jobs for these extra people? How will they get to work and school? Can our city infrastructures support such growth? We need to choose how we would tackle such issues.

Where are the extra people coming from?

About half would migrate from overseas or other parts of New Zealand. After years of people moving north, the trend has begun to reverse with more North Islanders moving south to settle around Christchurch . People are also living longer, which not only increase population but changes population dynamics - a growing number of retired senior citizens will need support from a decreasing number in full employment.

How will the Greater Christchurch UDS address issues?

The project began by gathering and analysing facts on current trends in population growth, transport, energy use, housing, community facilities, industry, commerce and the natural environment. Predictions were then added abut what might happen in the future id we made no changes at all. A project team was then formed to develop options that the Greater Christchurch area might adopt for managing growth and raise public awareness of the issues involved. The Options went out for consultation from April to May 2005. Over 3,250 submissions were received with 96% of respondents wanting a change from Business As Usual. Option A, concentrated development was the most popular choice followed by Option B, concentrating development around existing town centres. A Community Charter, based upon key concerns and values raised in the consultation has been adopted by the UDS Forum and will be used to guide the development of a draft Strategy. The draft Strategy will go out for public consultation in June 2006. After the participating authorities adopt a final strategy, implementation should commence from July 2007.

How can I have a say in the Greater Christchurch UDS?

The project involves a community consultation process aimed to ensure Greater Christchurch residents have an opportunity to participate in planning a greater Christchurch for them and their families. During 2006 there'll be opportunities to attend events, debate issues and take part in consultations.

This website includes an on-line discussion group. In March 2006, the discussion topics are water quantity and quality, and public transport. There's also a general discussion stream where you can raise issues you'd like other people to consider and talk about. Anyone can visit the web pages and read the discussions taking place, but to post your own contributions you'll need to join the on-line group. Instructions are on the on-line discussion web pages.

In June-July 2006 a draft Strategy will go out for public consultation. Booklets with feedback forms will be available from council offices, service centres, libraries and other venues. The draft Strategy will also be available to download from this website. A series of community meetings and a Roadshow around malls and other locations will provide opportunities for people to access information.

How will the Greater Christchurch UDS be implemented?

The aim of the strategy is to discuss the issues and find as much common ground as possible between the authorities to plan consistently across the greater area. The Greater Christchurch UDS cannot dictate what each authority does at the end of the project but it does give a strong message from the various communities what is expected of each of them in regards to Greater Christchurch planning. It also sets up a new model for common good that each party can use to work with other authorities on future projects.