Council proposes changes to development contributions

Christchurch City Council has released its draft Development Contributions Policy 2015 for public comment.

The proposed changes to the policy aim to apply development charges more fairly and to give developers more certainty about what they will pay. They include using catchments to more closely target charges, adjustments to the minor residential unit charge, including family flats, and how and when contribution reassessments will occur.

Development contributions are charged to any developers whose projects will add to the demand for infrastructure and services. The charges contribute towards the cost of building the new facilities and services that are needed to support developments.

Those who are thinking about building a new property, whether it be residential or commercial, are encouraged to look at the proposed policy changes. New or small-scale developers could be affected as much as professional developers.

The public can make comments until consultation ends at 12 noon on Tuesday, 28 April.

Doing a submission online is easy and fast, but there’s still the pen and paper option for people who prefer it. Council staff are holding two public meetings on 14 and 15 April where new or small-scale developers can find out more about the policy and how the proposed changes might affect their projects. For the times and venues of the public meetings, go towww.ccc.govt.nz/haveyoursay

How to have your say

• go online at www.ccc.govt.nz/haveyoursay to make a submission

• present a petition in support of a submission

• fill out submission forms available from Council libraries and service centres, or by phoning 03 941 8999 or 0800 800 169

• speak to staff at the public meetings. Dates, times and venues are below.

Comments made on Facebook, Twitter and at public meetings will be included in the feedback presented to the Council, but they will not be treated as formal submissions.

Councillors will consider all the submissions and comments before they adopt the Development Contributions Policy in June 2015.

- ends -

© Scoop Media