Tuesday 29 September 2015

Mayor welcomes Government intervention on District Plan Review

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel has welcomed the Government's decision to remove coastal hazards from the District Plan Review process.

"I have always been concerned that having coastal hazards in our fast-tracked District Plan Review process did not allow sufficient time for us to discuss these important issues with affected residents, particularly those in coastal parts of our city," Lianne Dalziel says.

"Today's announcement will be welcomed by local residents who have been extremely concerned at the proposed changes to the District Plan and their ability to have meaningful input on the issue of coastal hazards. The fast-tracking of our District Plan Review was always intended to be about earthquake recovery. We do not need to move with the same speed with respect to these longer term issues."

Mayor Dalziel says the conversation around coastal hazards for all coastal communities in New Zealand, including Christchurch, needs to continue. The Council-commissioned Coastal Hazard Assessment Report (Tonkin & Taylor 2015) which was released in July prior to notification of Stage Three of the District Plan Review, will continue to inform this discussion.

Mayor Dalziel has thanked the Ministers for being willing to listen and to intervene on behalf of these stressed communities.

"It has always been my view that we needed a collaborative approach between the Crown, Councils and Regional Councils to establish national guidance on coastal hazards to assist Councils in what can be a challenging policy area to address.

"I realise that our coastal communities have experienced considerable anxiety following the release of the Tonkin & Taylor report and residents have been under pressure to prepare submissions in a tight timeframe. It has been a tough time. We now look forward to working with communities and taking the time to work through how we will adapt to changing coastal conditions, with national guidance and support."

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