The Associate Minister for the Environment Phil Twyford has written to Mayor Phil Mauger in response to Christchurch City Council’s request for a bespoke approach to housing intensification rules in Christchurch.

The Government’s third tranche of the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (IAF) will enable around 16,600 new homes to be built across New Zealand, including approximately 1400 in Christchurch.

Christchurch City Council has voted against changing its planning rules to comply with government direction to enable more housing and development in the city.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel says she understands people’s concerns about Government-directed moves to enable higher density housing in Christchurch but the Council’s hands are tied.

Christchurch’s planning rules will change significantly this month as District Plan changes enabling more housing and development in the city come into effect to comply with government direction.

Significant changes to Christchurch’s planning rules, set to come into effect in August, are being pushed back a month due to the impacts of Covid-19 and winter sickness.

A healthy number of submissions have been received on a series of Draft Plan Changes aimed at preparing Christchurch for future growth.

Two new signalised crossings on Humphrey’s Drive will provide safe crossing points for people using the Rapanui/Shag Rock cycleway.