The concept of the green belt: some implications of the Resource Management Act 1991

Abstract

The management of land around the urban fringe of Christchurch is an important issue. For a number of years green belt policies have constrained the outward development of the City. The desirability of the green belt in Christchurch is related to protecting good quality soils, groundwater recharge areas, the operations of the airport, the rural amenities and character of the area. Planning restrictions on the physical size of the city are particularly significant because there are no natural physical boundaries to curtail the spread of the city to the north and west. The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the potential role of 'green belt' areas, under the changed planning environment of the Resource Management Act 1991. The Resource Management Act has changed the planning focus of local government from one of land use zoning and restraint, to a focus on the effects of land use. The past role of the Green Belt in Christchurch is analysed, and the validity for protecting such an area under the new planning legislation is discussed.