Trends and issues - 2005

Population growth creates demand for housing:

• Over 62,000 dwellings will be required for 120,000 extra people.

The population is ageing

• By 2041 more than 20% of us will be aged 65 and over (14% today).

Small towns are getting bigger

• The populations of both Waimakariri and Selwyn districts are expected to double over the next 40 years.

Traffic congestion is growing

• Traffic is forecast to grow by 40% by 2021, and increase 320% by 2041, unless over $2 billion is spent on roading improvements.

Water quality and quantity are being threatened

• Between 1998 and 2001 pollution was detected in 50% of shallow wells within Christchurch City.

Our sense of place may be eroded by poor development

• Growth and development is an opportunity and a threat to the character of our communities.

Expensive infrastructure needs building/replacing

• New development requires water supply, wastewater and roading and none of this is cheap to provide.

Councils and communities need to work together

• These issues do not respect council boundaries – communities must work together to achieve great results and to avoid poor outcomes.

Introduction to Issues booklet (February 2005) [PDF, 961 KB]
(external link)