Waimakariri council’s bid to create more affordable housing
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Councils need to work with the Government to help find solutions to the housing crisis, Waimakariri deputy mayor Neville Atkinson (pictured) says.
The Waimakariri District Council has backed a Greater Christchurch Partnership Housing Action Plan, which recommended eight immediate actions for councils to tackle the region’s housing shortage.
Atkinson said the plan encouraged councils to investigate a range of options including making council and Crown-owned land available as leasehold land for housing, and asking banks if they would offer loans for those developments.
‘‘We will be talking to the banks to see what they can do to support people on leasehold land.
‘‘We need to look at how does local government try to influence their decisions to make it easier for people to get into homes.
‘‘And how do we work with Government and local government and whether there is the possibility of releasing some Crown land for affordable housing.’’
Atkinson said the question of what is affordable housing also needed to be defined.
The councils wanted to explore what intensification of the housing market might look like and whether it was practical.
The Labour and National parties joined forces to pass the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act in December 2021.
The legislation made medium density standards the default for large towns in high growth areas, such as Greater Christchurch.
But the National-led Government has indicated it will relax the legislation to offer more flexibility.
‘‘It is OK to say we are going to allow intensification from Kaitaia to Bluff, but there are many different things to think about along the way,’’ Atkinson said.
‘‘Every town is different and intensification on Colombo St looks a lot different from intensification on King St in Rangiora.’’
Other options included investigating ‘‘inclusionary zoning’’ to increase the supply of social and affordable rental housing.
Inclusionary zoning has been introduced in Queenstown and Waikato and is seen as ‘‘a game-changer’’.
The councils will also investigate what incentives could encourage the development of affordable housing, rebates for social housing (which are offered in Christchurch) and models like the Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust (Christchurch).
Atkinson said there has been enough talk and now is the time for action.
‘‘I want to see some changes instead of just yakking and I do believe this plan gives us the opportunity to do that.
‘‘And even within the partnership we can still be nimble to recognise the differences in each district.’’
The Greater Christchurch Partnership is a collaboration between the Christchurch City, Selwyn and Waimakariri District Councils,
Environment Canterbury, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Government agencies.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
‘Healthy’ response to Waimakariri’s Long Term Plan
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri residents have had their say on the long-term plan (LTP) and given councillors plenty to consider.
A council spokesperson said ‘‘a healthy’’ 336 submissions have been received to the 2024-34 LTP, making 1670 submission points.
The council is due to hold hearings on the submissions on May 8, from 9.30am, in the Ruataniwha Kaiapoi Civic Centre and then in the Oxford Town Hall from 3pm.
A second day of hearings will be held in the council chambers in Rangiora the following day from 1pm.
The council has signalled a rates hike of 8.94% this year, which is thought to be the lowest proposed rates rise in Canterbury.
Mayor Dan Gordon said the council was feeling the effects of the cost of living crisis, while continuing to pay off its earthquake recovery and Mainpower Stadium loans.
The district’s population is projected to grow from about 70,000 to 82,075 by 2034, based on Stats NZ’s high growth scenario.
To support that growth, the council is proposing to spend around $693 million over the next 10 years.
Managing the natural environment, flood resilience, community facilities and transport infrastructure were being consulted on.
Key projects include the proposed Rangiora eastern link road, a draft natural environment strategy, the Rangiora Library extension and expansion plans for Mainpower Oval.
Once the hearings have concluded, the council will resume its LLT deliberations on May 21 and 22, before the final adoption in June.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Would you want an unconventional funeral?
Funerals can cost as much as $22,000 and the planning can be stressful especially at a time when loved ones are grieving. Some New Zealanders are re-imagining funerals by making their own coffin or having a relaxed ceremony at home. Would you want a less traditional funeral? Share your thoughts below.
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83.6% Yes
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14.2% No
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2.3% Other - I'll share below!
Gas Supply
Is there a good gas supplier in the Ohoka region? I have been with Rockgas for 7 years now but ordering or even talking to them has become impossible.
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