Extra 150,000 people for Greater Christchurch

The Greater Christchurch Partnership has published a draft settlement pattern update outlining how the region will support future housing and business growth for an expected population increase of 150,000 people.

Our Space 2018-48 goes out for public consultation today.

More housing will be needed to cater for the forecast growth in people living in Greater Christchurch.

The draft update sits within the Urban Development Strategy and focuses on how land use, or development, integrates with transport. It reflects the changes proposed for the region's public transport system outlined in the draft Regional Public Transport Plan.

The Greater Christchurch Partnership comprises Christchurch, Selwyn, and Waimakariri councils, Environment Canterbury, iwi, the Canterbury District Health Board, and other public agencies. The collaboration recognises the interconnectedness of urban areas and transport networks across Greater Christchurch.

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel said the Greater Christchurch Partnership recognised the importance of a thriving central city in the context of a growing and prosperous region.

Christchurch had a "geographical advantage'' over many other New Zealand urban centres, she said.

"We believe Christchurch can absorb significant growth without many of the challenges other centres face.  And we can avoid the problems that Auckland has had to confront with housing cost increases and traffic congestion.''

Our Space 2018-48:

• Identifies preferred locations for housing growth, encouraging central city and suburban centre living while providing for township growth in other centres, especially Rolleston, Rangiora and Kaiapoi.
• Outlines the housing trends that are expected to influence demand, with more people renting and fewer people in each household, linked to affordability issues and an aging population.
• Identifies the role planning can play in encouraging smaller, more affordable homes and in increasing the supply of attractive mid-priced townhouses and apartments in the central city, around key centres and along core transport corridors.
• Commits councils to working with housing providers to increase the supply of social and affordable housing across greater Christchurch.
• Reinforces the role of key centres, especially in the central city, in providing additional retail and office floor space, and the wider local services and facilities that people need near to where they live to encourage active (walking/cycling) and public transport.

Environment Canterbury Chairman Steve Lowndes says existing planning documents , including the Regional Policy Statement and the Christchurch District Plan, mean the region is already well placed to accommodate growth.

The Partnership looked ahead to 2048 to ensure the region was clear about the steps that need to be taken now to ensure sustainable growth management in the future.

"The proposals for transforming public transport align well with the directions set out in this update,'' Mr Lowndes said.

Bill Wasley, the independent chairman of the Partnership, said many other plays, strategies and initiatives will complement the update in improving the social, economic, cultural and environmental wellbeing of the district.

"This update is an important part of the jigsaw and it provides planning certainty and a commitment to collective investment for the good of Greater Christchurch - our space,'' Mr Wasley said.

Public submissions will help shape the final content of the update, which is due to be adopted in early 2019, he said.

The public can access Our Space 2018-48 at libraries and service centres and comment on it via the Partnership's website greaterchristchurch.org.nz.