Second Stage of District Plan Review Fast Tracked to Meet Deadline

The Council wants people to learn more about stage two of its District Plan Review and to make submissions directly to the Independent Hearings Panel that makes decisions on the plan.

"For stage one of the review we used the time we had available before the first notification to educate people about the content of the draft chapters/maps and how that content could affect them, particularly in relation to natural hazards; and to receive their feedback on those draft chapters," says Mayor Lianne Dalziel.

"We then found that many people felt they'd had their say and didn't need to make a formal submission to the Independent Hearings Panel. For stage two we want people to know that they still need to make a submission to the Independent Hearings Panel to have any influence on the proposed plan.

"Taking what we have learnt from that first stage, we'll instead use the time we have before notification, but after the draft chapters have gone to Ministers for comments, to give people information and promote awareness of the chapters and the issues in them in the hope that people will make submissions directly to the panel," says Mayor Lianne Dalziel.

The timeline for Council input to stage two of the review has been shortened to give the Independent Hearings Panel time to complete its work within the timeline set by the government's Order in Council. The Order in Council set an April 2016 deadline for completion of the entire Christchurch Replacement District Plan.

Most of the second stage proposals (chapters and maps) for the Christchurch Replacement District Plan will go to the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery and the Minister for the Environment in March for their comments before being notified and opened for public submissions on 2 May 2105.

"The district plan has a huge influence on how we are each able to use our land, so it's really important that we understand what's being proposed and how we will all be affected by it in future. The submission process for stage two is especially important as it is the only opportunity for public input to the stage two proposals," says Mayor Lianne Dalziel.

Anyone who makes a submission can ask to have their submission heard by the Independent Hearings Panel, either or their own, or jointly with other submitters.

Stage two includes Natural and Cultural Heritage, Rural (including quarrying), Open Space and Coastal issues. It also includes further parts of chapters (and maps) begun in stage one of the review, including Natural Hazards, Residential, Commercial and Industrial.

"Over the next month or two I encourage everyone to become aware of what's being proposed and how it might affect them. It is much better to become involved now than it is to find out too late that you didn't agree with the changes," says Mayor Lianne Dalziel.

"We know people are interested in what affects their property, because at stage one of the district plan review they came in large numbers to find out more and ask questions about how their property might be affected. We want to see many more people taking the next step, saying what they think by making a submission on the stage two proposals."

The timeline for most of the stage two chapters is:

Notification and submissions open 2 May
Submissions close 15 June
Submissions published and further submissions open 29 June
Further submissions close 13 July
Further submissions published 27 July

Notification of the Natural & Cultural Heritage, Central City and stage two Natural Hazard Chapters will follow the main stage two notification at a later date, yet to be confirmed.

Also being notified at a later date is content relating to Specific Purpose Zone Flat Land Recovery (pending the decision of the Supreme Court). Existing plan changes progressing through the Resource Management Act process, such as the Special Purpose Airport Zone plan change and the Ruapuna Plan change, will be dropped into the Replacement District Plan once their RMA processes are complete.

In addition to the awareness campaign, there will be a series of drop in sessions across the district in May where people can come and learn more about how their particular property might be affected and/or to ask questions (as occurred at stage one). Council planners will also be available to respond to emails or phone calls with questions about the stage two proposals.

A district plan review stage two newsletter will be delivered to all households and Post Office boxes across the district in May. The newsletter will have full details about the process and highlight some of the issues under review.

About the District Plan Review

This district plan review is following a shortened process following an Order in Council under the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act. This means the normal review process is fast tracked so that the new plan can play an active role in our city's recovery.

To achieve this, the Order in Council provides for the Council to present proposals and receive submissions and further submissions, which are then passed on to a Government-appointed independent hearings panel to hear submissions and make decisions on the plan. Appeals on the panel's decisions are limited to points of law only. The Panel wants all hearings completed by the end of this year.

The Council has taken a two stage approach to the review, with stage one chapters prioritised because their content is needed more urgently for the rebuilding and recovery of the district. Those stage one chapters have been through the notification and submission process and are now with the panel for hearings and decisions.

The stage two chapters are now approaching notification.

The Replacement District Plan will be completed by April 2016. For the first time since amalgamation of Christchurch City and Banks Peninsula there will be one district plan to represent both areas.

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