Some of the land in the earthquake damaged redzone in Waimakariri could once again be used for housing.
Land in the Waimakariri redzone could be used for housing. Photo: Facebook / Greater Christchurch Regeneration
Almost 100 hectares of land in Kaiapoi, Pines Beach and Kairaki was red zoned due to damage in the September 2010 and February 2011 earthquakes.
A draft plan for the long term use of the land has been developed by the Waimakariri District Council, and has been sent to the Minister supporting Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Gerry Brownlee, who has put it out for a month of public consultation.
Waimakariri District mayor David Ayers said much of the land would be used for parks and recreation, but some could be used for mixed business or homes.
Mr Ayers said at the moment it would be very expensive to build on that land.
"It is land which has been badly damaged in the quakes, and liquified," said Mr Ayers, "and as a building authority we need to be sure that buildings are safe.
"So that is likely to make them fairly expensive, but having said that rebuilding has occurred in the Kaiapoi town centre, on both sides of the river. So there is certainly interest in building on that kind of land with the proper foundations."
Earthquake recovery manager Simon Markham said the plan also allowed for some low intensity farms on red zoned land.
He said there may be enhancements to land remediation technology and the costs of that may come down to the point where a wider range of future use options become feasible.
The plan also proposed a caravan park, a memorial garden for burying ashes, a dog park and BMX track.
The projected cost for the council projects in the draft plan is $32,934,000, covering the roading, infrastructure and green space.
The council said currently there would be a shortfall of $9,436,000 in available funding. It said any additional funding would need to be sought through the future Long Term Planning processes.
Mr Brownlee said the process for deciding the future of the red zones in the Waimakariri District was separate to that for the red zone in Christchurch city.
"The process of gathering the public's view on the future use of the Christchurch red zones will be led by the new entity Regenerate Christchurch," said Mr Brownlee,"and (Regenerate Christchurch) will provide more information about this over time."
The period for public feedback ends on 1 September, and the feedback will then be analysed by officials and advice provided to the minister. The minister will then make a decision on whether to approve the plan or make changes.
The Draft Waimakariri Residential Red Zone Recovery Plan can be viewed and commented on at www.dpmc.govt.nz/future-use, on the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Facebook page; or in hard copy at libraries and service centres around greater Christchurch, with supplied feedback forms that can be sent by freepost.
Comment on the draft plan can also be emailed to infogcg@dpmc.govt.nz.