Council ends zoning row as housing market steadies
Christchurch City Council has been granted approval to withdraw from part of its housing density plan after meeting long-term growth targets, bringing an end to years of political tension over government-led intensification rules.
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop (pictured) confirmed the city can opt out of sections of Plan Change 14, which implemented the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) allowing higher housing density in urban areas, RNZ reported.
“Christchurch City Council has confirmed its housing plan provides for future growth, with modelling showing plan-enabled feasible housing capacity for at least 68,200 homes, exceeding the 65,640 homes needed to meet the statutory requirement for 30 years of adjusted demand,” Bishop said.
Council meets 30-year housing capacity target
Under legislation passed in August, Christchurch and Auckland councils could withdraw from Plan Change 14 if they had already provided for 30 years of feasible housing capacity, with a 20% contingency margin.
Bishop said official advice, supported by peer reviews from Urbanomics and Sense Partners, confirmed Christchurch met the threshold.
“Freeing up land for development by removing unnecessary planning barriers is essential to increasing housing supply,” Bishop said. “The evidence is clear that more housing capacity leads to more homes being built, which helps bring down rents and make housing more affordable.”
Decision follows years of zoning disputes
The approval follows years of friction between the council and government over intensification.
Councillor Andrei Moore earlier criticised the city’s resistance as costly and poorly planned, saying it created “inconsistencies” such as allowing 10-storey buildings in some outer suburbs but none near the city centre. In May, Bishop overrode most of the council’s proposed zoning changes, confirming higher-density development around key suburban hubs despite local opposition.
Heritage and character areas under review
Bishop said decisions are still pending on two heritage sites – Antonio Hall and Daresbury – and a special character area around Piko Crescent, to be reviewed in coming months, RNZ reported.
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