Summary of key issues with the current District Plan

As a result of the review of current policies and rules specific to noise and vibration, we’ve identified the following issues with the current District Plan:

In relation to noise

• Current rules aren’t up to date with regulatory standards and international guidelines.
• The night time period for noise limits in Selwyn is longer than most other districts across New Zealand and is not consistent with regulatory standards.
• Noise limits are determined by the site generating the noise rather than the site receiving it, which is an unusual approach and not consistent with the approach of other districts.
• Noise limits apply to the road and rail corridors which is impractical.
• The night time maximum noise limit is too restrictive for the residential zones and is inconsistent with regulatory standards, international guidelines and other districts.
• The day time maximum noise limit is too lenient for the Rural Zone and is inconsistent with regulatory standards, international guidelines and other districts.
• The specific noise limits which currently apply to particular activities aren’t as effective as they could be and require amendment (eg temporary military training activities and aircraft movements). Also there are currently no specific rules to manage activities such as rifle ranges, quarrying, motor sport and frost fans (used in horticulture).
• There is a need to better manage noise between incompatible activities and zones, and reverse sensitivity effects (the effect that a new development may have on activities already occurring in an area). For example, where industrial land adjoins rural or where commercial land adjoins residential.
• Some of the current exemptions to the noise limits aren’t considered appropriate.
• The noise provisions relevant to the Christchurch International Airport and state highways require updating.

In relation to vibration

• The current rules refer to outdated standards, guidelines and methods for managing vibration effects from road and rail networks, construction and demolition activities.
• The vibration effects from common industrial activities including quarrying and mining need to be considered further. For example, should they rely on noise and other reverse sensitivity rules (eg setbacks) to provide a buffer from vibration effects and/or comply with particular vibration limits set by international standards.