Important notice 8 & 17 October 2011

The 1998 Canterbury Regional Policy Statement has been amended to include Chapter 12A (released 17th October 2011) and 22 (released 8th October 2011).  These chapters are available at the bottom of this page.

• Read Chapter 12A
• Read Chapter 22
• Read more about this change.

Read the 1998 Regional Policy Statement

The 1998 Canterbury Regional Policy Statement has been broken up into small sections for fast downloading:

Part One - Table of Contents & Background Information (pdf 1.27 MB)
Page 1-24

Part Two - Issue Resolution (pdf 332 kB)
Page 25-97

Part Two A - Issue Resolution (pdf 379 kB)
Page 98-183

Part Two B - Issue Resolution (pdf 228 kB)
Page 184-229

Part Two C - Issue Resolution (pdf 304 kB)
Page 230-284

Part Three - Processes (pdf 25 kB)
Page 285-290

Part Four - Monitoring (pdf 21 kB)
Page 291-296

Appendices (pdf 80 kB)
Page 297-316

Chapter 12A

On the 17th of October 2011, the 1998 Canterbury Regional Policy Statement was amended as authorised by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority to include Chapter 12A.

• identifies areas available for urban development   
• specifies residential densities  
• makes provision for businesses
• requires local authorities to provide for sequencing of developments, and
• provides for form, design and development plans to enable integrated management

Read Chapter 12A (pdf 380 kB)

Chapter 12A Map 1 (A0 size) (pdf 5.63 MB)

Chapter 12A Map 1 book (A3 size) (pdf 18.96 MB)

Public Notice for Chapter 12A

Pursuant to section 27(1)(a) of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011, the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery gives the following notice:

The 1998 Canterbury Regional Policy Statement is amended from the publication of this notice by inserting Chapter 12A Development of Greater Christchurch (including Map 1) in the appropriate place.

Chapter 12A can be viewed on the CERA website at www.cera.govt.nz.

Copies are available at the offices and public libraries of the local authorities in greater Christchurch.

Proposed Change No 1 (Development of Greater Christchurch) to the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement (PC1) is revoked from the publication of this notice.

Given the detailed material contained within Chapter 12A, its full text is not provided in this public notice. The following is a brief summary of its contents.

Chapter 12A is based on PC1, but has been updated as a result of the Canterbury earthquakes. Chapter 12A provides direction for future growth within greater Christchurch by setting out land use distribution, in particular identifying areas available for urban development including specifying residential densities and provision for businesses. Although Chapter 12A promotes intensification of land use within existing urban areas it also identifies appropriate areas for greenfield developments to accommodate projected growth and population relocation.

Chapter 12A seeks to consolidate and intensify growth in certain areas so there is less reliance of private motor vehicles. It requires consideration of environmental challenges (including liquefaction and rockfall) so as to avoid areas of risk. It sets urban limits through Map 1 and requires territorial authorities to provide for sequencing within those limits and to restrain urban activities locating outside of those limits. Policies provide for form, design and outline development plans as a mechanism for integrated urban development.

Hon Gerry Brownlee, Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Chapter 22

Chapter 22 sets in place the noise contour but excludes Kaiapoi from having to comply with the limitations on residential development.  The chapter is set out in the public notice below. It was released on 8th of October 2011 and authorised by the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery.

Public Notice

Pursuant to section 27(1)(a) of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011, the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery gives the following notice:

The 1998 Canterbury Regional Policy Statement is amended from the publication of this notice by adding Chapter 22 in the appropriate place.

Chapter 22: Response to Canterbury earthquakes

Issue: Canterbury earthquakes

The area of Canterbury described as greater Christchurch in the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011 (CER Act) suffered significant damage as a result of the Canterbury earthquakes. Recovering from this damage to natural and physical resources is to be provided for by specific provisions within this chapter.

Objective 1: Christchurch International Airport Noise Contour

Provide for and manage urban growth within greater Christchurch while protecting:

1. the safe and efficient operation, use, future growth and development of Christchurch International Airport; and
2. the health, wellbeing and amenity of the people through avoiding noise sensitive activities within the remodelled (2007) 50 dBA Ldn air noise contour (the 50 dBA Ldn air noise contour).

Policy 1: Kaiapoi

Provide for residential development inside the 50 dBA Ldn air noise contour in Kaiapoi to offset the displacement of residential activities which were within that part of the Kaiapoi Residential Red Zone inside the 50 dBA Ldn air noise contour, and also provide for the contiguous and consolidated development of Kaiapoi.

Explanation to Policy 1: Kaiapoi

Notwithstanding Policy 2, this policy provides for households to establish within the 50 dBA Ldn air noise contour in Kaiapoi to offset the displacement of households within the Kaiapoi Residential Red Zone which were already within the 50 dBA Ldn contour and which were displaced as a consequence of the 2010/2011 Canterbury earthquakes.

It also provides, as part of greenfields residential development, for Kaiapoi’s long term projected growth. Such development provides for the contiguous and consolidated urban development of Kaiapoi.

Policy 2: Christchurch International Airport

To avoid noise sensitive activities within the 50 dBA Ldn air noise contour around Christchurch International Airport except as provided for by Policy 1: Kaiapoi.

Noise sensitive activities means:

• residential activities other than those in conjunction with rural activities that comply with the rules in the relevant district plan as at 23 August 2008;
• education activities including pre-school places or premises, but not including flight training, trade training or other industry related training facilities located within Special Purpose (Airport) Zone in the Christchurch District Plan or on other land used or available for business activities;
• travellers accommodation except that which is designed, constructed and operated to a standard that mitigates the effects of noise on occupants;
• hospitals, healthcare facilities and elderly persons housing or complex.

Explanation to Policy 2: Christchurch International Airport

The 50 dBA Ldn contour provides the boundary for noise sensitive activities extending towards Christchurch International Airport. Within the 50 dBA Ldn the establishment of residential activities and the establishment and/or extension of other noise-sensitive activities is to be avoided.

Noise sensitive activities are to be avoided from occurring within the 50 dBA Ldn air noise contour surrounding Christchurch International Airport so as not to compromise the future efficient operation of Christchurch International Airport and taking into account the health, well-being and amenity of people:

• Except that a limited number of households within the 50 dBA Ldn air noise contour within Kaiapoi is provided in accordance with Policy 1 as an offset for the displacement of noise sensitive residential activities within the 50 dBA Ldn air noise contours (Kaiapoi Residential Red Zone) as a consequence of the 2010/2011 Canterbury earthquakes. Such development also provides for the contiguous and consolidated development of Kaiapoi.
• This situation is unique to Kaiapoi and distinguishable from all other urban areas within greater Christchurch. Much of the Kaiapoi Residential Red Zone is already largely contained within the 50 dBa Ldn air noise contour.
• A secondary reason for accommodating residential development within the 50 dBA Ldn air noise contours in Kaiapoi is that the area under the 50 dBA Ldn air noise contour in Kaiapoi is surrounded by existing urban development or by urban limits, such that retaining non-residential zoning for this land would result in significant urban design and servicing issues for the surrounding urban development and a lack of cohesion for the separated neighbourhoods.
• Providing further household growth within the 50 dBA Ldn air noise contour in Kaiapoi does not create a precedent for allowing further household growth within the 50 dBA Ldn air noise contour at any other location within greater Christchurch.

Hon Gerry Brownlee, Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Download a copy of the public notice released in The Press on the 8th of October 2011 (pdf 831 kB)