Port Hills

Work is continuing on the zoning review for Port Hills properties

A date is still not able to be confirmed for an announcement, as this assessment process is on-going. However, we will let owners know as soon as we are able to. We anticipate this being by the end of May.

Once the outcome of the zoning review has been finalised, CERA will attempt to contact all property owners affected by zoning changes individually. This will ensure as much as possible that property owners find out from CERA directly, before the media announcement is made.

We apologise for the delay and the continued uncertainty this may create for owners, but we are determined to ensure this review covers off every aspect of the process to confirm a final outcome.

Information for residents

 

About the Port Hills area

Rock falls and landslides during the 22 February 2011 and 13 June 2011 earthquakes caused extensive damage to many parts of the Port Hills.

The Port Hills Geotechnical Group (PHGG) assessed properties for:

  • Rock fall or rock roll risk
  • Cliff collapse and debris inundation
  • Land movement (slipping or cracking)

The issues in the Port Hills are different to those in the low lying plains areas where there has generally been widespread land damage from liquefaction and lateral spreading. In the Port Hills, the issues have largely involved potential rock fall, cliff collapse and land slips.

Extensive geotechnical assessment supported the decision to rezone most of the Port Hills to green as it had shown a low geological hazard risk, but a total of 510 properties have been zoned red.

Properties affected by cliff collapse have been zoned red where there is an immediate risk to life. Properties affected by rock roll have been zoned red where there is an unacceptable risk to life (greater than 1 in 10,000 at 2016 risk levels), and an area wide engineering solution has been determined not to be practicable for a number of reasons including uncertainty around timeliness and costs.

A number of properties in the Port Hills have also been issued a section 124 notice by the Christchurch City Council under the Building Act 2004. A section 124 notice prohibits entry to a dangerous building. The majority of section 124 notices in the Port Hills have been placed because of geological hazards.

 

Funding for private rock fall protection structures

21 December 2012

Please see below a message from the Christchurch City Council on funding for private rock fall protection structures. Information about the funding process can also be found at www.ccc.govt.nz/porthillsgeotech

Dear Property Owner,

Re: Funding for Private Rockfall Protection Structures

Many properties on the Port Hills have been red zoned because of the risk of rockfall.

Following a decision by Councillors on 6 December 2012, owners of Port Hills property, who have received a red-zone offer, may apply to the Council for funding to erect a private rockfall protection structure. The Council will consider the feasibility of proposed rock protection structures on a case-by-case basis.

Attached is an information pack for property owners considering applying for funding for a private rockfall protection structure. The information includes an outline of the funding process, frequently asked questions and a pre-application form.

Applicants will need to consider very carefully whether they want to go through the process, which may be time-consuming and costly. Applicants must also accept the additional ongoing liability of maintaining and possibly replacing the structure in the future.

To assist applicants in making this very important decision, there will be a forum on Monday 21 January 2013 to explain the funding application process and answer any questions you may have to assist you in deciding whether to make an application.

The forum will be held in the Function Room, Civic Offices, 53 Hereford Street from 9am to 10.30am.

Anyone wishing to attend should register by emailing porthillsgeotech@ccc.govt.nz, or by phoning the customer call centre 03 941 8999 by Thursday 17 January 2013.

Information about the funding process can also be found at www.ccc.govt.nz/porthillsgeotech

Yours sincerely,

Peter Mitchell
General Manager
Regulation and Democracy Services
Christchurch City Council