11 Sep 2024

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Christchurch City Council has been granted more time by the Government to work through recommendations from the Independent Hearings Panel (IHP) for Plan Change 14.

Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop has extended the timeframe for the Council to notify its decisions on the IHP’s recommendations on Plan Change 14 that relate to greater heights and densities in and around the central city and commercial centres such as Riccarton, Papanui and Hornby. 

The Council was previously required to notify those decisions – which relate to policies 3 and 4 of the National Policy Statement for Urban Development – by 12 September this year. It now has until 20 December to notify them. 

Mayor Phil Mauger says the time extension means the Council will be in a good decision-making position come December. 

“It’s great that the Minister has granted the time extension. Plan Change 14 has been a massive undertaking for our city and we want to get the best result we can for Christchurch.  

“Having more time to get clarity from the IHP about some of its recommendations and to redraft the residential chapter means we’ll be in a much better position to make good, clear decisions when we meet in December,” says Mayor Mauger. 

The Council is also scheduled to meet on 18 September to consider a limited number of the IHP’s recommendations on Plan Change 14, including the City Centre zone, the de-listing of heritage items, and qualifying matters that are new or continued from the operative District Plan.  

Read the letter from Minister Bishop.