The Christchurch City Council is set to decide next week whether to pause an Independent Hearings Panel process on intensification.

On 6 December, Councilors will delve into a report, advocating for a request to the Minister for the Environment.

The request’s core aim is to redefine the timeline for resuming hearings and concluding Plan Change 14, as per an official Gazette Notice.

The report provides a strategic view, suggesting that postponing Plan Change 14 is essential until upcoming legislative amendments take shape.

This pause is particularly relevant in light of the new Government’s coalition agreement, which indicates a shift towards making Medium Density Residential Standards a discretionary choice for councils.

A significant aspect of uncertainty underlies these developments.

The report highlights this, stating, “We do not know when those changes will be made, what new direction may be proposed to replace this, nor what, if any, changes may be proposed to the National Policy Statement on Urban Development.”

Despite these uncertainties, the Council faces a Gazette Notice deadline to finalise its decision on Plan Change 14 by 12 September 2024.

The Independent Hearings Panel, which plays a crucial role in this process, is scheduled to reconvene on 30 January 2024.

Plan Change 14, at its core, is an initiative to enforce Medium Density Residential Standards.

These standards are a directive under the Resource Management Act, allowing up to three houses per site, each up to three storeys. Furthermore, it aligns with sections of the National Policy Statement for Urban Development, mandating increased building heights and densities, particularly around the Central City and commercial centre.