Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says a housing plan endorsed by Christchurch City Council will overcome what he calls convoluted rules for urban development.
Councillors on Thursday voted to support Government's Land Use Recovery Plan, which will allow more housing to be built on existing plots in urban areas.
Gerry Brownlee. Photo: RNZ
Last week, mayor Lianne Dalziel used a technical hitch to postpone the council vote because she wanted more time to discuss it with Mr Brownlee and negotiate changes.
The council says its decision was the result of a compromise with the minister but Mr Brownlee told Radio New Zealand's Morning Report programme it was not a compromise and a very good position has been reached.
"Christchurch has very convoluted development rules particularly for residential areas. There is the opportunity for more brown fields development in many of those residential areas. I just wanted really to see that there was high quality to that."
Mayor Lianne Dalziel is unapologetic about the delay, saying she took criticism from the public and the minister 'on the chin', to get the land use plan absolutely right.
"People (said) well can't she even get a legality like that right and have the report put in her own name.
"We could have fixed it on the day but I don't think we would have resolved the matter and so we haven't lost any time, what we've done is come up with a better decision."
Ms Dalziel said the delay allowed councillors time to address their concerns about a lack of public consultation.
