A targeted rate for biodiversity in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula

Submissions have now closed, hearings have concluded and Council deliberations were held on 22-23 May 2024.

Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, do you agree with the proposed targeted rate for biodiversity?

We would like specific feedback on a new proposed targeted rate to pay for additional biodiversity work in the Christchurch district, which includes Christchurch City and Banks Peninsula.

This targeted rate would pay for a ring-fenced programme of work, that would see landscape-scale indigenous biodiversity outcomes enhanced in the district. This would be in addition to the work carried out under the regional rate, which is already included in the options. The new targeted rate would be used to focus on doing more work with the community and local groups to protect priority habitats across freshwater, coastal and land-based ecosystems in the Christchurch district.

What is it?

A Christchurch district biodiversity targeted rate that has been included in Council’s preferred option for the Environmental Regulation and Protection service.

This would see $1m total collected for biodiversity work. This revenue is included in Council’s preferred option.

What would we get?

Regional council funding has in the past been successful in attracting additional community and agency funding and so it’s anticipated that this targeted rate would leverage additional funding for:

• Permanent protection of priority habitats through covenants
• Pest control
• Weed control.

What we're proposing

A separate rate charged to Christchurch district ratepayers for new biodiversity work within the Christchurch district boundary (including Banks Peninsula). This would be charged at $0.72 per $100k of your property value and would be allocated to work in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.

If there is sufficient support for this, Council could decide to include this targeted rate regardless of whether Option 2 is ultimately accepted.

What impact would this have on you?

Here are some sample properties to give an indication of the impact this would have on different areas. Costs are based on $0.72 per $100,000 CV (the value of your home).