24 September 2009
CCC media release

Public consultation on plan for Belfast

A draft area plan to manage growth and development in and around Belfast was today approved by the Christchurch City Council for public consultation.

Under greater Christchurch’s 35-year plan, the greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy, Belfast is identified as one of the areas that can support future urban growth and development. It is considered greater Christchurch’s second key open space (greenfields) area, after the South West.

The Draft Plan is a result of several years of investigation and previous rounds of public consultation. The upcoming consultation, planned for October-November, will include open forums and opportunities for both web-based and mail-based feedback.

Hearings are planned for February 2010 with the final Plan expected to be presented to the Council in March 2010. If adopted the Plan will lead to changes in future Long Term Council Community Plans (LTCCPs) , capital programmes, budgets, development contributions, and changes to the Christchurch City Plan to implement the Area Plan.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said that ultimately the plan would guide the development of Belfast in a way that fitted well with the community, protected the environment and recognised the special characteristics of the area.

“It will provide the framework for land use planning and Council expenditure, reflect how both the local community and the wider City wish the area to develop, and ensure that growth is integrated and collaborative, Mayor Parker said.
He said it made sense to prepare an area plan for how the area should develop over the next 30 years “given the rate of growth in the area, and acknowledging the elements that the community recognised as important, such as parks, special places, or significant buildings, and the treasured ecological areas like Styx River”.
The Plan promotes new centres, high quality business environments and employment opportunities, with new neighbourhoods will be developed. The uniqueness of the Belfast area will be celebrated through restored habitats and its tangata whenua values.

The Plan also fosters the incorporation of key landscape features and European heritage into urban development and public open space Neighbourhoods will be supported by a range of services and facilities and people will have genuine transport choices.
More background on the draft Belfast Area Plan www.ccc.govt.nz/AreaPlans/Belfast/
Background

Three consultation exercises have been undertaken as part of the initial Area Plan work. In early 2003, two public meetings were held seeking feedback from the community as to what made Belfast an important place for them, and what they considered to be the strengths and weaknesses of the area. Any opportunities that might arise as a result of growth, and how such growth could strengthen the community in the area, were also discussed.

A strengths/weaknesses/opportunities/threats analysis followed.

Later in 2003 an additional public forum, as well as a significant postal drop was undertaken within the urban area of Belfast. The purpose of this exercise was to seek views from the wider community as to which areas in Belfast they could see new residential, industrial or commercial development. The community was also asked to identify areas which it wanted protected as reserves or conservation areas, and which areas should remain rural.

In early 2007, the same exercise was undertaken with Rural landowners surrounding Belfast.

Over the past 12 months a number of Technical Reports, such as Community Facilities, Urban Design, Natural Values and Infrastructure have been undertaken plus work on stormwater options and roading infrastructure.

ENDS

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