A Landcare Research ecologist says the development of east Christchurch needs to be properly planned over the next 100 years to accommodate sea-level rise.
New Brighton Beach Photo: Supplied
Last month, the government allowed the Christchurch City Council to remove the coastal hazards report from its District Plan.
The report estimated 18,000 houses along waterways and the coast would be affected by sea level rise, leaving residents worried that it would affect the value of their properties.
The ecologist, Landcare Research's Colin Meurk, said before building and developing east Christchurch, planners needed to think a century ahead to mitigate the effects of sea-level rise.
Dr Meurk said the coast dynamic would change due to climate change, and the sea level could rise by a metre over the next 100 years.
"We know the coast is going to be very dynamic in New Zealand because of predicted sea level rise and other climate change things - storminess and all those sorts of things.
"Nothing is certain of course, but we have to be aware of that."