What's our SWAP going to be?
People are swapping their existing houses for a new life in the South-West suburbs of Christchurch – and it's easy to see why with convenient access to amenities, open space, shops and employment.
The population of the South-West is expected to double over the next 35 years. Already development is changing the landscape as new communities are established.
How best to manage urban growth is the role of the South-West Area Plan (SWAP).
On this site is the full South-West Area Plan and options to view individual plans. A set of technical reports backgrounding urban growth issues facing the South-West and information about the study area is also provided.
What else is new in the South-West area??
Proposed urban limits go to hearings
The development of the South-West is identified in the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy (UDS). The UDS recommended areas where future urban growth was appropriate, and where it should be restricted. Putting the UDS into effect requires changing the Regional Policy Statement (RPS). Hearings on the proposed change to the RPS will be held on April 20th and end of August 2009. For more information visit: www.ecan.govt.nz.
Southern Motorway set to start sooner
The Government's Jobs and Growth plan is bringing forward the construction of the Southern Motorway (SH73). Construction should start in March 2010 and will improve access to the Central City and Port of Lyttelton. The $180m project will duplicate the existing two-lane road from Barrington Street to Curletts Road, extend the motorway from Curletts Road to Halswell Junction Road, and improve connections from there to Main South Road (SH1). Underpasses will be built at Awatea/Dunbars Road and Aidanfield Drive. Crossings for pedestrians and cyclists will be established at various points, along with an off-road cycleway alongside the motorway corridor. For more information visit: www.nzta.govt.nz.
The management of Halswell Quarry Park is being reviewed
Halswell Quarry Park, located at the corner of Kennedy's Bush and Cashmere Roads, is a regional park rich in historic and cultural significance. In addition to the historic quarry and heritage buildings, people enjoy the recreational facilities including mountain bike trails, walking tracks and picnic areas, and the Sister City botanical collections from Songa-pa Gu in Korea, Kurashiki in Japan, Adelaide in Australia, Seattle in United States, Christchurch in England and Gansu Province in China.
The future management of the Park is now under review. The Council has prepared a plan to:
- Maintain the park's rural open space;
- Link the park with the Halswell River, Halswell Domain and Henderson's Basin;
- Conserve heritage values and improve public access to heritage buildings;
- Provide for artwork and structures associated with the Sister City botanical collections;
- Encourage natural regeneration of habitats;
- Increase understanding of the park's values;
- Create a pedestrian friendly environment; and
- Improve staff facilities.
Community input will ensure Halswell Quarry Park is managed to provide a great environment for everyone in the south-west and greater Christchurch to enjoy.
Metro improves South-West services
Metro services in the Halswell area were reviewed last year and Environment Canterbury received over 2500 responses. As a result, improved services will be starting in November 2009, including a Halswell service that travels past Christchurch Hospital.
Metro services in the Hornby area are now up for review, including 5 Hornby-Southshore, 81 Lincoln, 83 Hei hei-Burwood, 84 Russley-Avondale, 518 Hornby-Lincoln, 520 Hornby-Burnham, 521 Hornby-Templeton and B City-Burnham. A brochure has been delivered to all households in the area with feedback due by Friday, 10 April 2009. To send in your comments or for a copy of the brochure contact Metroinfo on 366 88 55 or visit: www.metroinfo.org.nz.
A master plan for Canterbury Park is being prepared
Canterbury Park is a large (144-hectare) rural-focused open space resource for Christchurch City, located in the urban residential growth area of South-West Christchurch. It is the South-West's equivalent of Hagley Park in terms of size. What is special about Canterbury Park is the variety of features it currently, and potentially, presents – ranging from Canterbury agricultural sector business/promotion, being the home of the annual Canterbury A&P Show, rural landscapes, organised sports, passive recreation and local open space provision to waterway systems and natural river corridor conservation and enhancement. There is the real possibility for Canterbury Park to be Christchurch's first multi-function metropolitan park and for it to be a key open space asset for South-West Christchurch.
To achieve this, a comprehensive master plan for Canterbury Park is being prepared. The master plan will integrate the planning necessary to maintain and enhance all the components of Canterbury Park that contribute to its features, and provide direction for the Park's management and development. This direction will be in terms of proposals for development and further detailed planning, and policies to guide management to enable the Council to meet the long-term objectives for the Park and address issues, such as the impact of the approaching Christchurch Southern Motorway development on the Park.
It is proposed to take the draft master plan out to the public for consultation early in 2010.
Status of Variation 48 on the management of the flood hazard in Christchurch
Variation 48 – Management of the Flood Hazard in Christchurch was publicly notified in late 2003. It aims to better manage the flood hazard and potential effects of flooding in Christchurch using a combination of measures, including the identification of flood management areas and ponding areas, with associated rules.
The Environment Court has heard four appeals on Variation 48, along with two 1999 City Plan appeals on the same topic. The appeals are mainly about Henderson's Basin and Lower Styx ponding areas and the Cashmere Stream floodplain, but one of the appeals does touch on Flood Management Area (FMA) provisions, meaning no aspect of Variation 48 can become operative at this stage. An Environment Court hearing was held in late July 2008 and the Court decision is currently awaited. Following this it is expected that the Council will make Variation 48 operative later in 2009.
In the meantime, inquiries relating to minimum floor levels, as currently required under the Building Act, and minimum floor levels in Flood Management Areas once Variation 48 becomes operative, should be directed to Heath Wells, Technical Officer, Regulatory Support Team on 941-8314. Inquiries about other aspects of Variation 48 may be directed to Glenda Dixon, Senior Planner, Strategy and Planning Group on 941-6203. |
