Pursuant to sections 69 and 71 of the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Act 2016 (“GCR Act”), the Associate Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration has approved the Proposal to amend the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement and Christchurch District Plan to provide for the development and operation of commercial film or video production facilities in the Christchurch district. Amendments are made to the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement and Christchurch District Plan using section 71 of the GCR Act.

The amendments to the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement include:

• making express provision for commercial film or video production activities to occur in the Christchurch district both within and outside of the existing urban areas and greenfield priority areas identified in Map A in the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement;
• directing that commercial film or video production facilities are to be connected to reticulated water and wastewater systems (thus ensuring no unnecessary load on the District’s aquifers); and
• classifying commercial film or video production activities as activities that are not “noise sensitive” within the meaning of that term in the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement.

The amendments to the Christchurch District Plan include:

• amending the existing definition of “commercial film or video production” to clarify that it excludes any residential activity component;
• amending the existing definition of “sensitive activities” to specifically exclude commercial film or video production activities;
• inserting specific recognition for “commercial film or video production” activities within strategic objective 3.3.7;
• inserting a rule requiring new buildings and/or additions to existing buildings for sound stages, studios for filming and/or sound production for commercial film or video production to be insulated from aircraft noise where they are located with the 55 dB Ldn noise contour or the 55 dB Ldn engine testing contour shown on the planning maps;
• inserting specific policies supporting the development of commercial film or video production activities within the commercial, industrial, and rural zones;
• making “commercial film or video production” activities permitted in the following zones:
• Commercial Mixed Use;
• Commercial Central City Mixed Use;
• Industrial General;
• Industrial Heavy;
• Industrial Park;
• Rural Urban Fringe;
• Rural Templeton;
• additional permitted activity standards, built form standards and matters of discretion in zones where these are required to ensure appropriate environmental outcomes.

The exercise of the section 71 power takes effect on 13 October 2020.

Dated this 15th day of September 2020.

Hon POTO WILLIAMS, Associate Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration.