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Why do we need to have wildfire risk management rules in the District Plan?
Selwyn is an area that has a significant wildfire risk due to its topography. Climate change has also increased the occurrence of wildfires and their intensity. As a result we’ve had wildfires most years, with the Port Hills fire in early 2017 being one of the largest to date.
Having specific wildfire risk management rules in the new District Plan will enable us to minimise wildfire risk through controlling the type and location of vegetation next to buildings.
Do the draft setbacks mean I can’t plant any vegetation within 30 metres of a neighbouring property?
We’re still looking into what area of vegetation the setbacks should apply to but at this stage we’re not considering controlling small scale planting. For example, we’re considering setbacks for shelter belts and for plantations, such as vineyards, woodlots, and orchards which are over one hectare in size.
Aren’t the setbacks going to damage the character of rural areas and limit what landowners can do?
The draft changes for wildfire risk address the need to balance managing wildfire risk while at the same time retaining the character of rural areas and allowing landowners some freedom and self-determination when it comes to landscaping their properties. However, with this freedom comes self-responsibility around mitigating their own wildfire risk. This means it’s up to landowners to ensure that their property has defensible spaces which reduce fire danger to their property as well as neighbouring properties. At the same time, should there be a wildfire, having a defensible space also improves the chances of people and property surviving it.
Where can I find more information about the District Plan Review of wildfire risk management to date?
For more information about the Council’s preferred option for draft
changes to wildfire risk and all the work done
to date as part of the review visit Council website where all the reports developed for the District Plan Review are kept.
