Chch urban growth ‘too big, too fast’

Press, 8 March 1978, Page 2

Chch urban growth ‘too big, too fast’

The Christchurch urban area is getting too big too quickly, and its physical extent should be contained and new “growth areas” established elsewhere, according to a report on employment adopted bv the Canterbury Regional Planning Authority. The report urges a national development plan giving guidance on regional development aims and priorities. The authority agreed to distribute the report to other local bodies. The report specifically recommends that “there is an urgent need to review the rate of Christchurch’s expansion relative to other parts of the region, and to encourage a more balanced distribution of employment opportunities.” Comment at the authority’s meeting emphasised that one essential factor be the establishment of reliable transport between the North Island and

the South Island, to attract industry to the south. What is wanted, it was noted, is not a “commuting town” but a growth community capable of being mainly self-contained. One of the prime growth points mentioned in the report is the Rolleston area where the West Coast and Main South railway links join. “Limitation of employment growth within the central employment area can only be achieved if alternative growth areas are identified and promoted,” it was noted. It was further emphasised that “while there are adequate means available to implement a policy for employment distribution in accordance with these guidelines (in the report), present economic guidelines point strongly to the need for a very practical choice of areas for development over the next few years.”

The authority also adopted reports on urban water supply and regional planning aims. It received a report noting that the Town and Country Planning Act, 1977, gives existing regional planning authorities the option of working under the old act or under the new one — which contains many recommendations made by the Canterbury authority. The new law reads, however, tl.at any planning review must start “de novo,” meaning that work done to date would, in effect, have to be started anew. Parliament has been asked for an amendment to the draft regulations to exempt work already done. The authority accepted a recommendation that it continue its review of the regional scheme under the new act procedure, subject to any changes in the regulations.