Final Strategy and Policy Committee meeting of the triennium
The final Strategy and Policy Committee meeting on Wednesday 10 September covered quarry dust research, the draft Council Land Strategy, and recent central government reforms. Read about the final meeting and its key outcomes.
Deputations
Anna Youngman and her husband, Neil Youngman, spoke to Council about their experience of dust at their Yaldhurst property from neighbouring commercial quarries affecting their health.
Council agreed to receive the Youngman's deputation and will provide a reply to them as soon as practicable.
Council considering dust research near quarry zones
We’re exploring new research into dust levels and air quality in parts of Waitaha Canterbury.
At the meeting, Councillors requested that staff prepare detailed scoping, including costs and benefits, for a staged monitoring programme for consideration by the incoming Council in the new triennium.
The proposed programme would include both:
- short-term research to measure background dust levels in residential areas near Christchurch quarry zones
- long-term environmental monitoring of localised dust levels in residential areas near Christchurch’s quarry zones.
This work follows updated health advice from Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, based on the World Health Organisation’s 2021 Air Quality Guidelines and the 2022 Health and Air Pollution in New Zealand (HAPINZ) study.
The Committee also supported recommending that central Government reviews the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality, taking into account the latest evidence on the health impacts of particulate air pollution.
We’ll continue engaging with our communities and keeping people informed as this work develops.
Canterbury Regional Council Land Strategy
The committee considered the draft Canterbury Regional Council Land Strategy this week, a document setting out how we will manage around 25,000 hectares of land we’re responsible for. Much of the land is along rivers and vested for flood protection and soil conservation and endowment.
The strategy takes an intergenerational approach, looking at how this land can best deliver flood and river resilience, climate action, braided river health, and sustainable revenue, while working in partnership with Papatipu Rūnanga.
It sits within the context of, and contributes to, the Braided River Revival Whakahaumanu Ngā Awa ā Pākihi 100-Year Strategy (BRR100YS) adopted by us on 30 July 2025.
The committee noted progress and acknowledged ongoing engagement with mana whenua, stakeholders and communities. Final adoption of the strategy will be sought by the Council in the next triennium.
Update on the latest Government changes affecting our Council
The Strategy and Policy Committee received an update on the latest Government legislative and policy changes affecting us.
Since the last update to the committee in early August, two new pieces of legislation that have become law include:
- Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Act came into effect on 21 August 2025. Find out more about the Council reviewing the new Resource Management Amendment Act and its implications
- Public Works (Critical Infrastructure) Amendment Bill came into force on 27 August 2025. View bill at legislation.govt.nz
Submissions to Central Government
We made a submission on 27 August 2025 to the Governance and Administration Committee on the Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill.
View all the submissions to Central Government or download the submission (PDF file, 372.81KB).
Missed the meeting? Download the agenda (PDF file, 6.37MB) or watch the recording on our YouTube channel.