3200 reply to survey on growth
Of 3200 submissions about the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy (UDS), more than 63 per cent say they want development largely confined within Christchurch city and the surrounding larger towns.
This is the most striking of initial findings from a call for public feedback about options to deal with expected growth in and around Christchurch. The project partners are the Banks Peninsula, Selwyn and Waimakariri district councils, Christchurch City Council, Environment Canterbury and Transit NZ.
People who picked up copies of the strategy options booklet were asked to consider four potential futures: concentrating development within Christchurch City and larger surrounding towns (Option A), balancing development between existing built areas with some expansion into adjacent areas (B), dispersing development away from established urban areas (C) and continuing as we are now (D).
The Greater Christchurch UDS Forum, which leads the project, found that 63% went for Option A, 22% wanted Option B, and few opted for C (2%) or D (3%).
Just under 90% say it is very important that the areas water quality be protected, and about 80% also say it is very important that the councils continue working together for a better future for Greater Christchurch.
Most people (67%) don’t want to see more farmland or open space used to develop new housing and 61% say they prefer a mix of transport choices, with an emphasis on public transport as the more desired option.
This preference was repeated again and again in the more than 140 multiple-page written submissions (about 1800 comments came in attached to feedback forms). Many were from representative organisations such as resident, community or interest groups, and agencies and companies.
Common themes raised in these 140 written submissions included wanting:
- Passenger rail in future, using the rail corridors between Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Rolleston, Lincoln, Lyttelton and Christchurch
- The development and use of excellent urban design principles that include energy efficient homes with public/green space
- Urban villages or neighbourhood activity centres designed around walking and cycling
- Transport planning and land development aligned
- Productive and versatile soils, aquifers, waterways and landscapes to be protected
- More open space to be provided, with green or ecological corridors
Several of those writing in question the Forum’s population projections and whether population growth is needed at all. Others wondered if expected oil price increases were being factored in. Some rural property owners say they want more of a say about rezoning.
Responses broadly represent the existing population and age distribution of Greater Christchurch, with 74% coming from the city, 8% from Selwyn, 10% from Waimakariri, and 5% from Banks Peninsula. However, only 2% of respondents identified as Maori or Pacific Islander and just 1% as Asian New Zealanders.
The response to the options document was much greater than anticipated. All submissions will be considered in more detail as the forum begins to develop a draft strategy, which it hopes will be ready for public consideration by early 2006.
Learn more about the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy at www.greaterchristchurch.org.nz |
