Christchurch Replacement Plan Update No. 1 - Priority Matters, Panel & Status of Resource Consents
Panel
The Hearings Panel who will hear submissions on the notified Christchurch Replacement Plan has been confirmed as follows:-
Priority Matters
The matters of priority that must be decided by 28 February 2015 are:
Other matters that must be given priority, but for which decisions are not required before 28 February 2015, are:
Hearings
Hearings are expected to commence in early December.
The Panel will determine the procedure for hearings, including timing, expert conferencing and dispute resolution.
Implications for Status of Resource Consents
The Proposed Replacement Plan was notified on 27 August 2014. Resource consents filed after this date must have regard to the objectives and policies of the Replacement Plan as well as those of the Operative Christchurch City Plan.
The Replacement Plan rules do not take effect until decisions on submissions are made. Under the earlier terms of reference, decisions on major parts of the Replacement Plan including most provisions relating to residential, commercial and industrial sections were to be made by 28 February 2015. Whilst many of these matters are still defined as ‘priority’ the February deadline has been removed. There is now no set date as yet for decisions, other than for the matters set out above.
If are wanting to progress resource consents under the Operative City Plan rules only there is now not quite the same urgency for resource consent applications to be lodged and accepted by Council prior to February 28 2015 (if they are permitted activities under current rules). However, we recommend you continue to progress your plans as quickly as possible regardless, as a new timeline for decisions on other priority matters is likely to be announced soon, and we anticipate this as still likely to be early 2015.
Please feel free to contact us if you would like any more information or to discuss any matters relating to the Replacement Plan.
[1] Strategic Directions cover overarching objectives and policies which define the overall direction of the Replacement Plan including in relation to recovery and growth, urban form, supply and timing of greenfield land, manawhenua, natural and cultural environment and amenity health and safety.
The Hearings Panel who will hear submissions on the notified Christchurch Replacement Plan has been confirmed as follows:-
- Hon Sir John Hansen (Chair) - Former High Court Judge;
- Judge John Hassan (Deputy Chair and current Environment Court judge);
- Sarah Dawson - Planner, Boffa Miskell
- Jane Huria - Governance and Strategy Specialist, Ngai Tahu
- Dr Phil Mitchell -Environmental Consultant, Kingett Mitchell; and
- John Sax – Land Developer & Executive Director – Southpark Corporation, Development Company
Priority Matters
The matters of priority that must be decided by 28 February 2015 are:
- Strategic Directions[1];
- Temporary activities related to earthquake recovery, such as house lifting activities; Provisions for repair and rebuilding of multi-unit residential complexes;
- Rezoning for exemplar housing areas under Action 8 of the Land Use Recovery Plan that are publicly notified in the first draft proposals.
Other matters that must be given priority, but for which decisions are not required before 28 February 2015, are:
- Natural Hazards;
- Residential;
- Designations;
- Commercial;
- Any other discrete matter identified by the Panel resulting from the submissions process that is an impediment to recovery; and
- The scheduling of all proposals related to the achievement of Action 24 (viii) of the Land Use Recovery Plan i.e. an integrated approach to land uses located near Christchurch airport.
Hearings
Hearings are expected to commence in early December.
The Panel will determine the procedure for hearings, including timing, expert conferencing and dispute resolution.
Implications for Status of Resource Consents
The Proposed Replacement Plan was notified on 27 August 2014. Resource consents filed after this date must have regard to the objectives and policies of the Replacement Plan as well as those of the Operative Christchurch City Plan.
The Replacement Plan rules do not take effect until decisions on submissions are made. Under the earlier terms of reference, decisions on major parts of the Replacement Plan including most provisions relating to residential, commercial and industrial sections were to be made by 28 February 2015. Whilst many of these matters are still defined as ‘priority’ the February deadline has been removed. There is now no set date as yet for decisions, other than for the matters set out above.
If are wanting to progress resource consents under the Operative City Plan rules only there is now not quite the same urgency for resource consent applications to be lodged and accepted by Council prior to February 28 2015 (if they are permitted activities under current rules). However, we recommend you continue to progress your plans as quickly as possible regardless, as a new timeline for decisions on other priority matters is likely to be announced soon, and we anticipate this as still likely to be early 2015.
Please feel free to contact us if you would like any more information or to discuss any matters relating to the Replacement Plan.
[1] Strategic Directions cover overarching objectives and policies which define the overall direction of the Replacement Plan including in relation to recovery and growth, urban form, supply and timing of greenfield land, manawhenua, natural and cultural environment and amenity health and safety.