Protection for central Christchurch venues another 18 months away

Wednesday, 26 February 2025

A plan to increase noise limits and support a “vibrant” night life in central Christchurch may take 18 more months and will need to strike a balance with the needs of residents.

Some city councillors want the process hurried along; another says a “shitty warehouse acting as a music venue”, knew residential development was planned down the line when it moved in.

Meanwhile, Feather Shaw, co-owner of Darkroom on St Asaph St, is pleased to now have a clearer timeline of work.

The changes they wanted were about securing the city’s future as “a cultural powerhouse”, she said, while still being liveable for residents.

It comes as council staff updated elected members on Tuesday about a plan to allow higher noise levels in parts of the CBD, following years of live music venues warning that outdated council policies could drive them out of business.

Noise complaints had already led to some bars moving gig times (as was the case for Dux Central in 2022), or cutting live music altogether.

Councillor Andrei Moore, who has the arts and culture portfolio, said one venue received a noise control infringement as early as 10.16pm.

“Businesses right now are not allowed to do their business,” he said.

He and other councillors asked staff if there was a way to finish the plan change sooner than the expected date of June 2026.

One issue with that date was how close it was to the April 2026 opening of One New Zealand stadium at Te Kaha.

Te Kaha has already been given special protections against noise complaints, but councillor Victoria Henstock was concerned people would mistakenly think the plan impacted that stadium and therefore damage its reputation.

“The stadium will be allowed to have concerts, but the bars beside it won’t,” Moore said.

Another issue was that potential changes to planning rules - like better insulation standards - would not activate until the plan was finished, meaning houses consented before then might not be adequately sound-proofed.

One rule the council may consider would prevent noise complaints from being accepted at all.

Darren Bridgett, the council’s city planning team leader, said the quantity of public submissions would impact the speed of the process. He said it was “a contentious issue” with two sides to it.

On the other side were home owners, who central ward councillor Jake McLellan - who did not speak in the meeting but commented to The Press - said needed protections too.

He said the needs of young families looking for an affordable home in central Christchurch should not be trumped by venues that moved into a neighbourhood where homes were “always” expected to be developed post-quake.

McLellan referred to such venues as a “shitty warehouse”, later clarifying he did not mean the businesses were bad, but the buildings they occupied were not fit for purpose.

“They’re beloved venues,” he said.

He agreed the plan change was necessary, but said it was also important to build up the population of central Christchurch and not scare prospective residents away.

In the meeting, Moore argued part of the issue was new homes being bought as investments and rented on Airbnb, without adequate warnings about noise.

He read aloud some apartment descriptions, labelling properties as family retreats, or advertising quiet hours from 9pm. Bridgett said staff would consider contacting Airbnb.

There will be a second information session about the plan change in May with more details. Public engagement is expected to begin from June.

*CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story said Dux Central canned live music in 2022. Owner Richard Sinke says they still have live music, but have limited gigs to end at 11pm. (Amended 3.31pm, February 26, 2025)