8 March 2013
MEDIA STATEMENT
Land Use Recovery Plan coming soon

Environment Canterbury announced today that community consultation on the Land Use Recovery Plan for greater Christchurch will start on 21 March.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee gave Environment Canterbury responsibility for developing the plan.

Commissioner Peter Skelton says stakeholders and the wider community will have a number of opportunities to participate in developing this important plan for the future of Christchurch.

“The plan is an important step in guiding earthquake recovery,” Professor Skelton said. “We need more certainty regarding land use and infrastructure in greater Christchurch. Significant investment decisions will be helped by the plan. The needs of people and businesses locating and relocating are pressing - the plan will guide decision making in this area.”

Professor Skelton said the strategic partners talked with key stakeholders in a series of workshops in late 2012. Contributions from those workshops are being included in the consultation document. Follow-up workshops for stakeholders and the general public will be held shortly.

“I encourage everyone in greater Christchurch to participate in the workshops and make their submissions,” he said. “The partners welcome debate about the contents of the draft plan so we can be confident it reflects the wishes of those who are most likely to be affected.”

Following the consultation process, a draft recovery plan will be presented to Minister Brownlee by the middle of this year. Mr Brownlee will call for written comments before considering the draft plan.

For the report on the 2012 stakeholder workshops, the timetable for community workshops in April and other information on the Land Use Recovery Plan for greater Christchurch, go to www.developingchoices.org.nz

The strategic partners are the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, Environment Canterbury, Christchurch City Council, Selwyn District Council, Waimakariri District Council, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and the New Zealand Transport Agency.

ENDS

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