11 Jun 2020

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Christchurch City Council has signed off on feedback on a draft proposal that could see film studios being set up in the city.

It is one of several statutory partners asked by Regenerate Christchurch to give feedback on a draft proposal to use section 71 of the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Act 2016 (GCRA) to make changes to the regulations governing the development and operation of commercial film or video production facilities in the Christchurch district.

The amendments to the Christchurch District Plan and Canterbury Regional Policy Statement would allow film studios to be established permanently in some commercial, rural and industrial zones.

Currently, New Zealand’s only dedicated film studios are in Auckland and Wellington and they are at capacity. Given the extensive use of South Island locations for filming, bringing film studios to Christchurch makes sense and is predicted to bring significant social and economic benefits.

Analysis submitted with the proposal indicated that commercial film or video production facilities could generate, as a baseline, between $50m to $200m each year, depending on what kind and how many films were secured, plus jobs for approximately 270 people.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel says feedback supports the proposal to enable film studios, while requesting some technical amendments to allow Council to manage any potential effects on a case by case basis through the consents process.

“The South Island has long been a wonderful location for filming and having a permanent film studio established in Christchurch to support pre and post production activity would provide a real economic boost for the city, especially in the current post COVID-19 environment.”

Regenerate Christchurch will review feedback from statutory partners and may amend the draft proposal before submitting it to the Associate Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Hon Poto Williams, for approval and a decision on whether to proceed. If the Minister decides to proceed, the proposal will be publicly notified for comment.

Amendments to the GCRA are currently being considered by Parliament. If enacted, along with other changes, the amendments would bring forward the planned statutory disestablishment of Regenerate Christchurch to 30 June 2020.

Read the Council report on commercial film or video production facilities.