‘Granny flat’ change comes with risks
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Proposed 'granny flat' legislation could help address housing demand in North Canterbury, but officials want safeguards against flooding and liquefaction risks.
The Hurunui District Council has questioned whether small homes are practical in the windy region, while the Waimakariri District Council says the policy appears to be consistent with its proposed District Plan.
The Government is seeking feedback on a proposal to force councils to allow buildings of up to 60m2 in certain areas, without requiring a consent.
The proposal was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Housing Minister Chris Bishop last week.
It will amend the Building Act and the resource consent system to make it easier to build granny flats or other small structures up to 60m2, provided they met the building code.
Hurunui District Council building and property manager Kerry Walsh said given the majority of the district is above the high wind zone, the maximum allowed in the proposal, ‘‘granny flats’’ may not even be permitted.
The Hurunui District includes the growing town of Amberley and tourist hotspot, Hanmer Springs.
If granny flats were allowed, he said it could "double the number of houses connected to the council’s systems".
The council needed to consider a number of questions when offering feedback including: will there be enough checks and balances, and will local infrastructure have sufficient capacity to support the proposal.
Waimakariri District Council planning, regulation and environment general manager Kelly LaValley said the proposal has the potential to address housing demand in the area, which includes Rangiora.
‘‘It aligns with our District Plan that allows granny flats to be established without a resource consent, provided conditions are met.
‘‘It is also good to see that the proposal considers impacts to stormwater, servicing, and infrastructure funding.’’
But there needed to be safeguards included to mitigate the risks from liquefaction and flooding.
There will need to be a clearly defined method of determining if the granny flats comply with the Building Code.
The Kaikōura District Council has also been contacted for comment.
Consultation is open until August 12, with final policy decisions to be made later in 2024. They are expected to be in place by mid-2025.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: What should happen to the cathedral?
In August, restoration of the Christ Church Cathedral was put on hold. Church leaders have no idea when work might restart.
Last year, the Government declined to provide further funding beyond $25 million, and the church, who had raised $24m in donations and contributed $49m including insurance, said further public support will be required to find the revenue required.
What do you think the next steps should be for the cathedral?
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14.5% Keep waiting for more funding
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25.5% Continue build, but with compromises
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54.5% Demolish it!
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5.5% Other - I'll share below
Do you have a great recipe for pears?
Kia ora neighbours. We give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine, and we're still on the hunt for pear recipes! Send your family's favourite way to use up this delicious fruit, to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by the end of this week . If we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of the April issue.
From Antarctica to the Outback
For Rodnie and Bryan, retirement at Ryman’s Edmund Hillary Village is all about seizing every opportunity to explore. From trekking through Nepal and enduring the cold in Antarctica to immersing themselves in Aboriginal culture in the Australian Outback, their epic retirement proves that age is no barrier to discovery. Just as Sir Edmund Hillary pushed the limits of exploration, residents of his namesake village continue to chart their own extraordinary journeys.
“We’ll keep travelling for as long as we can,” says Rodnie.
Click read more for the full story.
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