Christchurch residents appear to be divided on what to do with Air BnBs and other ‘home sharing’ accommodation.

At the start of this year, before the COVID-19 lockdown, Christchurch City Council invited the public to give feedback on home-share accommodation in the residential and rural zones of Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.

Nearly 570 organisations, businesses and individuals provided feedback on how the impacts of home-share accommodation should be managed through the Christchurch District Plan.

Proposed changes to the District Plan would allow whole unit listings in some areas but not others, and would not allow listings in multi-unit dwellings or on rear sections.

Council manager David Griffiths says the organisation heard from a wide range of people with varying perspectives on home-share accommodation and its impacts.

“The issues raised in the responses traverse a number of topics, including concerns about noise, parking and rubbish, neighbourhood connectedness, safety, and housing supply and affordability.”

“Some responses also highlighted the positive effects of home-share accommodation, particularly in rural areas. These include attracting more visitors to the district, attracting visitors to parts of the district that don’t usually see as much tourist spending, and providing an opportunity for people to earn a supplementary income.’’

Mr Griffiths says the responses show views are split on the preferred approach to managing the effects of home-share accommodation.

“Council staff are aiming to bring a report to the Urban Development and Transport Committee next month with recommendations on a preferred option.”

The Urban Development and Transport Committee is largely responsible for pushing through council cycleways as a top priority.

Mr Griffiths says “the Council will need to find a balance between recognising the benefits that home-share accommodation can bring to the district and managing the effects it can give rise to.”

“If the Council ultimately decides to notify a plan change, there will be an opportunity for people to make formal submissions on the proposed plan change and to speak to those submissions at a hearing.”