Residents’ associations across Christchurch are concerned they could be excluded from a government inquiry into the council’s refusal to pass new housing density rules.
Deputy Environment Secretary Phil Twyford announced on Thursday that he had appointed Christchurch-based mediator John Hardie to “understand the problems with housing intensification” in the city.
Twyford said Hardie would also explore a way forward, so the council complied with the law.
The move comes weeks after the council, following strong public pressure, pushed the “proverbial finger” at the government through defy his demand to enter new density rules.
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The rules required municipalities of major cities to allow for developments of up to three three-story homes per section in urban areas, without requiring approval.
Christchurch was supposed to put the new rules into effect last month, but instead councilors agreed in September to write to Environment Minister David Parker to seek a bespoke solution in light of the city’s “unique” housing situation.
There were fears that if the council did not pass the rules, the government could replace councilors with commissioners or appoint a crown trustee.
Twyford said on Thursday the government was disappointed with the previous council’s decision but was determined to work with new mayor Phil Mauger and the council to “find a path to increase housing supply and affordability”.
Twyford said he had also written to Mauger about the previous council’s decision not to notify the change to the housing intensification plan.
Formal decisions on next steps will be taken in the coming weeks.
Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
Associate Environment Minister Phil Twyford announced on Thursday that he had appointed mediator John Hardie to “understand the problems with housing intensification in Christchurch”.
The study is expected to start on Monday and the researcher’s fees will be paid by the Ministry of the Environment.
Hardie will then work with council and government officials to confirm a project plan, before interviewing staff and council members, conducting workshops and seeking Ngāi Tahu’s views.
The study’s terms of reference make no direct mention of conversations with any of the 20 residents’ associations, which successfully lobbied the council to reject the new density rules.
However, there is talk of considering the views of any interested parties where relevant.
Geoff Banks, chair of the Victoria Neighborhood Association’s intensification subcommittee, said he was concerned that residents would not be involved in the investigation.
“The reason the council voted no was because of the submissions from the multiple residents’ associations.”
STUFF
Housing Secretary Megan Woods and Environment Secretary David Parker announce a change in law allowing landowners to build up to three stories without resource consent. (First published October 2021)
Tony Simons, chairman of the Kilmarnock Residents’ Association president of Riccarton Bush, said the job description required Hardie to focus on identifying and understanding the issues and the views of any stakeholders, if relevant.
Simons said residents were stakeholders and their views were absolutely relevant, so he hoped Hardie would approach the group.
He said Hardie was not responsible for making decisions and it seemed the minister wanted more information before deciding what to do next.
A date for the completion of the investigation report has yet to be set.
Acting Christchurch Mayor Pauline Cotter said the council welcomed the appointment of an investigator to find a way forward.
“We are not against housing intensification, but we do not want an all-encompassing, city-wide approach. There are some areas where allowing more housing makes sense and we are willing to look at that.
“We look forward to working together to find the best outcome for Christchurch.”
Hardie lives in Christchurch, where he has been a lawyer and mediator for over 20 years. He has focused on environmental and civil law.
Since the establishment of the Weathertight Homes Tribunal and Conciliation Service in 2002, he has conducted mediation work in watertight housing issues.
In 2013 he was appointed to the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority Compensation Panel.
Almost 400 planned Christchurch homesincluding more than 100 social rental homes, in limbo.
The Council’s head of planning and permissions, John Higgins, said in October that the affected resource permission applications “have been submitted under the new planning provisions”.
In all, there were 55 resource permit applications, for a total of 389 unit style residences, caught in the deadlock.
Most applications were for private developments.
Three were for 25 new Kāinga Ora residences in Jollie St, Linwood; Wayside Avenue, Burnside; and Hart Street, Woolston.