Resource consents update – April 2022

For those of you who don't know me, I started at the Council about 10 years ago after the earthquakes, and I've had a variety of roles in Resource Consents before taking up this latest one. Prior to that I held a number of local government and consultancy roles.

The position is still under John Higgins, who is now Head of Planning and Consents and has also taken on responsibility for managing the Council's Planning & Strategic Transport, Heritage and Urban Design units. You're welcome to get in touch with me any time – call me on 03 941 6481 or email Paul.Lowe@ccc.govt.nz

You'll be aware that it's currently taking about 60 working days before we're able to allocate applications to staff. This is because we've been receiving unusually high levels of applications for some months now – and between staff absences due to COVID-19 and the shortage of experienced planners in New Zealand that's made it difficult to recruit additional staff, we're unfortunately experiencing a few delays.

We're still doing all we can to tackle the backlog: recruiting, using consultants where possible, referring applications to the necessary experts as soon as they're lodged, and finding efficiencies – for example, dedicating teams of planners to specific development types such as multi-unit developments. 

Applicants and their consultants can help us too:

• Include well-resolved development and topographical plans within applications, as well as other supporting information we require.
• Include a robust assessment of effects on the environment – we can often adopt what is set out in the application.
• Obtaining written approvals from neighbours can really speed up the processing.
• If there's a compelling permitted baseline to support your application, please make sure this is appropriately illustrated and described in the application.
• Consider engaging a planning consultant for more complex applications.   

We all appreciate your ongoing support and patience.

Plan change signals move towards more intensive housing

We want to know your thoughts about proposed changes to planning rules to help provide for our continued growth and prosperity.

Consultation opened last week on four proposed plan changes to bring our District Plan in line with recent government direction to enable more housing in the city and prepare for future growth.

What is proposed is significant, affecting most residents living in Ōtautahi-Christchurch, and is needed as we address big issues like population growth, housing challenges and climate change.

The draft plan changes include...

Draft Housing and Business Choice Plan Change

Bringing our District Plan in line with government direction that has been given via the National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD) and the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act to enable more development in the city’s existing urban footprint. Read more about the proposed plan change on Newsline. 

Draft Heritage Plan Change

We are proposing that 11 new residential heritage areas across the city be identified for protection in the District Plan to recognise Christchurch’s special heritage and identity and adding around 65 buildings, items and building interiors to the Schedule of Significant Historic Heritage.

Draft Coastal Hazards Plan Change

We need to avoid increasing the risk of harm to people and property from coastal hazards including flooding, tsunami, and erosion. We are proposing to do this by taking a risk based approach to the management of development, subdivision and land use in areas exposed to coastal hazards. Changes to the District Plan will give effect to the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement and the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement. 

Draft Radio Communication Pathways Plan Change

We need to protect airspace used for emergency radio communications by stopping development that blocks it.

Find out more and have your say

More information about each of the draft plan changes can be found on Have Your Say and the Council's District Plan pages.

Feedback must be received by 5pm on Friday 13 May 2022. This will help us shape the draft changes needed to bring our District Plan in line with government direction, ahead of formal consultation in August 2022.

Online information sessions

A series of online information sessions have been planned, due to the current COVID-19 restrictions. People will need to pre-register to attend and are invited to submit questions regarding the plan changes prior to the meetings. More information about these sessions can be found on Have Your Say.

Keep in touch

If you have any questions about your resource consent applications, please get in touch with us at CCCResourceconsentapplications@ccc.govt.nz. We'll also try to keep you updated on the expected processing timeframe once your application has been allocated.

You can also contact our team leaders directly if you have their contact details. We also send out surveys with every decision, and we encourage you to complete those to help us improve the service we can offer you.

For more information on all things Resource Consents, please email dutyplanner@ccc.govt.nz or call 941 8999.