Proposed Urban Intensification Variation

Why are we doing this?

The proposed Urban Intensification Variation gives effect to central government’s National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD). The NPS-UD sets national direction to ensure Aotearoa New Zealand has well-functioning urban environments that meet the diverse and changing needs of our communities and future generations.

The NPS-UD sets out objectives and policies that councils must give effect to. QLDC’s proposed Urban Intensification Variation specifically gives effect to the intensification directive (Policy 5), but also the wider directives of the NPS-UD. Specific requirements that the District Plan needs to give effect to include:

• District Plans are required to enable heights and density of urban form that commensurate with the greater of:
  1. The level of accessibility by existing or planned active or public transport to a range of commercial activities and community services; or
  2. relative demand for housing and business use in that location.
• District Plans need to provide for at least sufficient development capacity to meet expected demand. For housing it needs to be for both standalone dwellings and attached dwellings, and for business land it needs be for different business sectors.
• The rules and policies within the District Plan also have to be individually and cumulatively consistent with the development outcomes described in the objectives for each zone.

QLDC’s proposed Variation gives effect to these requirements which assist with achieving a compact urban form, with smaller unit sizes and attached housing typologies, so more people may benefit from living in locations with access to commercial activities and community services.

A compact urban form may contribute to a well-functioning urban environment by reducing the demand for greenfield development and its effects upon sensitive environments, landscape values and productive land supply as well as the inefficient expansion of infrastructure. A compact urban form may also reduce reliance on private vehicle use; maximise the use and viability of public transport, walking and cycling; and improve the efficient operation of public utilities which will reduce energy demand and limit greenhouse gas emissions. In locations that aren’t currently served by public transport, a compact urban form may make the future provision of public transport more viable.

The proposed Variation also marks the implementation of Outcome 1 of the Queenstown Lakes Spatial Plan for consolidated growth and more housing choice, making sure future growth happens in the right areas and is serviced by the right public infrastructure.