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Flood Management – An Update

By Laurie Atkinson, Planner, Baseline Group, Christchurch Ph 0800 254 123 E:info@blg.nz | Jun 06, 2024

Applications for a residential unit or principle building on a single urban site

If you are proposing to develop a residential unit on an urban site and it triggers the need for a Flood Assessment Certificate (FAC) under a Rule in the District plan, then all applications for a FAC are to include a site plan, which includes existing site ground levels in relation to a datum reference. This has to be certified by a licensed cadastral surveyor.

Applications for a residential unit or principal building on a rural site

SDC require an indicative site plan with building location identified as well as a Flood Hazard Assessment from Environment Canterbury outlining that the chosen location is appropriate for residential use. If, in the case of establishing a housing title on a site a building location has not been identified a Flood Hazard Assessment from ECan will be required identifying suitable developable locations with a note to the consent holder placed on the resource consent decision stating that a FAC will be required prior to the lodging of a building consent. 

Applications covering a subdivision in a residential zone

If you are applying for a subdivision in a residential zone Selwyn District Council require a Flood Assessment Certificate to be applied for where a copy of the proposed subdivision scheme plan is to be provided.

Applications covering a subdivision in a rural zone

For rural subdivisions the Council now requires a letter from Environment Canterbury stating whether or not there are appropriate building sites on the allotment.  If there are suitable building sites the council will not require the applicant to apply for a FAC, and instead SDC will place a note to the consent holder on the resource consent decision saying that a FAC will be required prior to the lodging of a building consent.  Where Environment Canterbury states that building sites are limited to a single location (and so can provide a floor height) then SDC will still require a FAC prior to issuing a resource consent decision.

It is important to note boundary adjustments where no new buildings are proposed do not require a Flood Assessment certificate.

Whilst the information which has been provided above is correct as of today, there is nothing to say the method of managing flood risk will change in due course, therefore before undertaking any development or subdivision with the Selwyn District it is important to confirm the process with a duty planner or member of the flood modelling team.

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