Future-proofing Greater Christchurch: Spatial Plan consultation opens Whakawhanake Kāinga Komiti
16 June 2023.
Consultation starts on Monday 19 June 2023 on a draft plan that provides a blueprint for how population and business growth will be accommodated in Greater Christchurch into the future.
The draft Greater Christchurch Spatial Plan has been developed by the Whakawhanake Kāinga Komiti (Urban Growth Partnership for Greater Christchurch), following strong community input during the Huihui Mai - let’s come together engagement earlier this year.
Minister of Housing Hon Megan Woods, who is a member of the Whakawhanake Kāinga Komiti, says having over 7,000 responses to the Huihui Mai survey has provided clear signals on ways Greater Christchurch needs to grow to meet the needs of current and future generations and address challenges of population growth, housing affordability and climate change.
“The Komiti received a strong direction from residents on how to tackle some of the big issues facing the city region, such as improving public transport, building in the right places, strengthening climate resilience and restoring the natural environment.
“The draft Spatial Plan has built on what the community has said, outlining some keys ways we can future-proof Greater Christchurch for generations to come. The question now being asked of residents is whether the draft Spatial Plan is on the right track?”
The Huihui Mai consultation showed high levels of support (86%) for intensifying development along key public transport routes.
For mana whenua, the plan identifies development of kāinga nohoanga within traditional reserve sites and urban areas as a development priority, and expressly commits that Māori land will not be utilised for infrastructure purposes. Mana whenua governor, Gail Gordon, says both commitments are positive steps forward in the relationship between mana whenua and local and regional councils, as is the explicit recognition of Te Tiriti and rangatiratanga in the plan.
Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon says the draft Spatial Plan builds on this direction by identifying six priority development areas, additional to kāinga nohoanga development, for coordinated and focused action to unlock investment. These include the Rangiora Town Centre and surrounds; Rolleston Town Centre and surrounds; Papanui; Central City; Riccarton; and Hornby.
“Focusing future development in and around specific areas means we can plan strategically for growth so there’s good public transport, quality high-density housing, and plenty of green spaces to enjoy,” he says.
Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger says Eastern Christchurch has also been identified as a priority area.
“It’s clear we need to do more to support communities and ecosystems to adapt to the impacts of climate change. This is a major challenge, especially in Eastern Christchurch with its coastal location and low-lying areas.
“Effective partnerships between local and central government, community organisations and businesses will be crucial to building community resilience”.
“We must ensure we work with the local communities to find the right result”.
Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton says the draft Spatial Plan brings the key partners together to ensure Greater Christchurch is the best place in the world to live, work and play.
“The community has been clear that they want a planned approach to growth that sets us up for a sustainable and prosperous future. It’s critical local and central government work hand-in-hand with communities to increase our resilience to natural hazards and climate change, and improve access to employment, education and housing” he says.
Environment Canterbury Chair Peter Scott says the draft Spatial Plan has a strong focus on protecting and improving our natural environment.
“Residents told us loud and clear that we need to do more to protect the environment. The Plan prioritises enhancing and expanding our blue-green network which is made up of our waterways and green spaces. As part of this, there is a focus on the use of green belts to protect our natural ecosystems, support agriculture and provide recreational opportunities.”
“While there are lots of challenges ahead of us, there are lots of opportunities too. The Plan sets the direction for future growth, and this consultation is an opportunity for residents to let us know whether we’ve hit the mark.”
The draft Greater Christchurch Spatial Plan is open for submissions from 19 June to 23 July.
Whakawhanake Kāinga Komiti
Local Councils, mana whenua, and the Crown set up the Whakawhanake Kāinga Komiti (Urban Growth Partnership for Greater Christchurch), last year (2022) to collectively plan for our future development. The partners include Mana whenua, Environment Canterbury, Christchurch City Council, Selwyn District Council, Waimakariri District Council, Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, and the Crown (led by Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga - Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Kāinga Ora, Te Tari Taiwhenua - Department of Internal Affairs).
Future-proofing Greater Christchurch: consultation opens in mid-June on the Draft Spatial Plan
A draft plan that outlines how to shape and accommodate future growth in Greater Christchurch will go out for public consultation in mid-June, following feedback from more than 7000 residents.
Greater Christchurch has seen rapid growth over the past 15 years and its population is expected to double within the next 60 years, if not earlier.
The draft Greater Christchurch Spatial Plan proposes a pathway to ensure that development provides more affordable housing, emissions reduction and climate resilience.
It has been developed by the Whakawhanake Kāinga Komiti (Urban Growth Partnership for Greater Christchurch), following strong community input during the Huihui Mai - let’s come together engagement earlier this year.
At today’s meeting, the Komiti approved the draft Spatial Plan for consultation, which will be open for public submissions between mid-June and mid-July.
Future of Greater Christchurch important to residents
More than 7000 people provided feedback on how to accommodate future growth in Greater Christchurch through the Huihui Mai engagement.
The Whakawhanake Kāinga Komiti (Urban Growth Partnership for Greater Christchurch) asked residents in Christchurch City, Selwyn and Waimakariri for their views on how to tackle important issues related to growth, including a suggested turn-up and go public transport service (Mass Rapid Transit) route during the engagement which ran for six weeks from 23 February 2023.
Whakawhanake Kāinga Komiti Chair Jim Palmer says he is delighted with the response from the community and also the wide representation of participants from Greater Christchurch.
Funding boost for Greater Christchurch Public Transport Futures
10 March 2023.
Public transport infrastructure work will be accelerated following a $78 million funding injection.
Minister for Transport Michael Wood announced today the funding to boost the Greater Christchurch Public Transport Futures Programme (‘PT Futures’).
“The PT Futures programme helps make Greater Christchurch an even better place to live by reducing carbon emissions with more transport choices. We need to get more people onto public transport, and this announcement is a step in the right direction. The Government’s investment is a win for Greater Christchurch and the environment, and I welcome the opportunity to fast track this work,” Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger says.
“Our transport system plays an important part in shaping the Greater Christchurch area as we grow, enabling movement of people into and around the city and the neighbouring Selwyn and Waimakariri districts.”
Greater Christchurch’s future growth – tell us what you think
23 February 2023.
Residents’ views on how Greater Christchurch will develop as its population continues to grow will be at the heart of an ambitious urban growth and transport plan being developed.
The Whakawhanake Kāinga Komiti (Urban Growth Partnership for Greater Christchurch) are inviting people living in Christchurch City, Selwyn and Waimakariri Districts to take part in the discussion to shape where and how their area will grow in the future and how its transport infrastructure can be future-proofed.
The Huihui Mai (let’s come together) engagement opens this week and runs to Sunday, 26 March. It asks if the Partnership’s work on how we accommodate more people and business in Greater Christchurch in the future, while also providing a high quality of life for our people, a thriving economy and protecting our environment, is in line with the community’s aspirations. This work also includes a potential ‘turn up and go’ mass rapid transit system, that both responds to and encourages growth along its route.