Canterbury towns face big population rises. Are there enough houses?
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Rapid population growth in some North Canterbury towns could lead to future housing shortages, a new report warns.
The proposed Waimakariri District Plan, which is expected to take effect later this year, is set to open up more than 330 hectares of land for housing in Rangiora and Kaiapoi, allowing for up to 20,000 new homes.
A report by consultancy firm Formative Ltd assessed the capacity for growth in the Waimakariri towns of Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend, Ravenswood and Pegasus over the next 30 years.
The district’s population of 70,000 could balloon out to 100,000 over the next 30 years, based on StatsNZ’s high growth scenario.
Based on a formula of 2.6 people per house, nearly 12,000 new houses will be needed.
‘‘This means there is sufficient capacity within the urban environment to meet expected demand for both the medium and long term,’’ the report says.
However, the report’s authors warned the situation in Kaiapoi ‘‘should be monitored’’.
‘‘If growth continues at or exceeds the high projection, the council may need to provide more capacity.’’
Rapid growth in Woodend, Ravenswood and Pegasus means the area is likely to face a shortage of housing supply by about 2037, so it will need to be monitored, the report says.
But the report’s authors suggest the shortfall could be accommodated in Rangiora and Kaiapoi.
The council faced criticism last year following a private change request from Rolleston Industrial Developments Ltd to rezone 156ha at Ohoka, near Rangiora, to build 850 houses.
In their recommendation to decline the request, the independent commissioners criticised the council for not making enough provision for housing growth.
The latest report predicted there would be demand for 4970 new houses in the main towns over the next decade and 11,700 over the next 30 years, based on the high growth scenario.
Kaiapoi’s population of more than 13,000 is expected to grow by 52% over the next 30 years, creating demand for about 2900 new houses.
About 97ha in east and north Kaiapoi has been earmarked for growth in the proposed District Plan, including land that was red zoned after the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes.
Any development would be subject to planning rules, taking into consideration flood risk and other variables, a council spokesperson said.
Rangiora’s population is approaching 20,000 and is expected to grow by 36% by 2053, requiring about 2960 new houses.
Under existing planning, there is capacity for 2450 new houses, with the proposed District Plan set to open up 235ha in northeast, southeast and southwest Rangiora.
Ongoing growth was also projected in Oxford and in the district’s rural communities.
The council will seek another report once the new District Plan is in place.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?
Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱
-
48.6% Yes
-
49.4% No
-
1.9% Other - I'll share below
Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
Here's Thursday's thinker!
I am lighter than air, but a hundred people cannot lift me. What am I?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Loading…
