Greater Christchurch Partnership commits to sustainable growth
The Greater Christchurch Partnership Committee has received and endorsed the final version of the Greater Christchurch Spatial Plan. It subsequently recommended its partner Councils adopt the Spatial Plan as their overarching strategy for managing growth.
Pathway to a sustainable future
In response to the anticipated growth of 700,000 people or more in the next thirty years, the Greater Christchurch Spatial Plan provides a blueprint that will enable the sub-region to accommodate growth while remaining an attractive place to live, learn, work, visit and invest.
Informed by a robust evidence base, rigorous analysis and innovative consultation, the Greater Christchurch Spatial Plan identifies the pathway towards creating prosperous, sustainable, well-functioning and resilient urban environments in the dynamic context of ongoing change.
It shows how new houses and businesses can be accommodated in a way that enhances the environment, integrates with transport and other infrastructure provisions, builds greater community resilience against risks of natural hazards, and contributes to a sustainable future for Greater Christchurch for existing communities and future generations.
Collaboratively developed by the Greater Christchurch Partners and our wider government partners, informed by widespread public consultation, the Plan identifies major foreseeable opportunities and challenges facing Greater Christchurch, providing an aspirational yet feasible plan to guide its sustainable and prosperous future development.
It provides a collective approach to tackling critical issues that span community, council, and agency boundaries. The Spatial Plan builds on the foundational work of the Greater Christchurch Partnership since 2007, drawing on the past to build a prosperous shared future.
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Community voices
More than 7,000 people engaged during the development of the plan through the Huihui Mai survey and 358 then submitted on the draft plan. This provided clear signals on ways Greater Christchurch needs to grow to meet the needs of current and future generations and address challenges of population growth, housing affordability and climate change.
Feedback received provided a strong direction from residents on how to tackle some of the big issues facing the city region, such as improving public transport, building in the right places, strengthening climate resilience and restoring the natural environment.
There was a high level of support (86%) for intensifying development along key public transport routes.
Local government voices
Reflecting mana whenua values
The Spatial Plan reflects mana whenua values and priorities through identification of the blue/green network, the preference for a compact urban form and recognition of Māori Land as part of the mapped settlement pattern, including a key direction to ‘Enable the prosperous development of kāinga nohoanga on Māori Land’.
"The focus on provision for sustainable communities, environment, economy and wellbeing outcomes, now and into the future, is consistent with mana whenua intergenerational aspirations of 'Mo Tatou, a, mo ka uri a muri ake nei' - For us and our children after us"
Aligning land use planning and transport
Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon says by aligning land use planning and transport in targeted areas, the Plan enables a strategic, intentional approach to accommodating growth. Six priority development areas have been identified as a focus for coordinated action to unlock investment: Rangiora Town Centre and surrounds; Rolleston Town Centre and surrounds; Papanui; Central City; Riccarton; and Hornby.
"Focusing growth along key public transport routes and in and around centres ensures that the projected demand for housing and business space can be met in a way that enables communities and business to thrive”.
Effective public transport
Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger says the proposed ‘turn up and go’ mass rapid transit system will provide effective public transport linking people with where they need to go, shaping the city in a way that enables Greater Christchurch to avoid the problems that growth can bring.
"Earmarking a dedicated corridor for mass rapid transport and boosting public transport connections enables us to concentrate growth on areas well-served by transport links. In this way, we can avoid the costly retrofitting that many cities are forced to undertake as the population grows".
Capturing the voice of the youth
Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton says that the success in capturing the voice of the youth of Greater Christchurch was vital to the development of the Plan, as decisions today will impact young people and generations to come. Climate change resilience, good public transport, a clean and green environment, and drinking water quality emerged as top priorities for the youth of Greater Christchurch.
"Our vibrant youth voice within Greater Christchurch has been an invaluable contribution to the Plan's evolution. Their voice resonated prominently throughout the entire engagement and hearings process. This underscores the significance of forward-thinking decisions, emphasising that choices made today ripple across generations and affirming that every voice matters in crafting our collective future".
Importance of protecting and improving the environment
Our Chair Peter Scott says the draft Spatial Plan ensures that growth and development does not come at the expense of the natural environment.
"Our communities reinforced the importance of protecting and improving the environment. By enhancing and expanding the network of waterways and green spaces, the plan will support and benefit biodiversity and ecosystems, provide adaptation to climate change, support primary production, and provide recreational opportunities."
About the Greater Christchurch Partnership
The Greater Christchurch Partners include Environment Canterbury, Mana Whenua, Christchurch City Council, Selwyn District Council, Waimakariri District Council, Te Whatu Ora – Waitaha, and the NZ Transport Agency, and the Urban Growth Partners which include Department of Internal Affairs, Kāinga Ora, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
For more information about the Greater Christchurch Partnership visit www.greaterchristchurch.org.nz.