At the start of this year, before the COVID-19 lockdown, Christchurch City Council invited the public to give feedback on five different options it is looking at to manage home-share accommodation in the residential and rural zones of Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.
“It is apparent from the level of thought and effort that went into the responses we received that this is an issue of significant interest to the community,’’ says Council Head of Planning and Strategic Transport David Griffiths.
“We heard from a wide range of people with varying perspectives on home-share accommodation and its impacts. The issues raised in the responses traverse a number of topics, including concerns about noise, parking and rubbish, neighbourhood connectedness, safety, and housing supply and affordability,’’ Mr Griffiths says.
“Some responses also highlighted the positive effects of home-share accommodation, particularly in rural areas. These include attracting more visitors to the district, attracting visitors to parts of the district that don’t usually see as much tourist spending, and providing an opportunity for people to earn a supplementary income.’’
Mr Griffiths says the responses show views are split on the preferred approach to managing the effects of home-share accommodation.
“Council staff are aiming to bring a report to the Urban Development and Transport Committee next month with recommendations on a preferred option.
“The Council will need to find a balance between recognising the benefits that home-share accommodation can bring to the district and managing the effects it can give rise to. If the Council ultimately decides to notify a plan change, there will be an opportunity for people to make formal submissions on the proposed plan change and to speak to those submissions at a hearing,’’ Mr Griffiths says.