Originally about 100 residents were told they would have to leave their homes by 2039 due to climate change. (File photo) Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
People fighting eviction from their homes at a settlement in Canterbury's Selwyn district will be able to remain for at least 30 more years.
Selwyn District Council had been consulting with people at Upper Selwyn Huts near Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere about its future, after last year pausing a decision to evict homeowners by 2039.
About 100 people live at the huts at Springston South Reserve on land owned by the Crown and managed by the council.
In March 2024, the council voted for the entire settlement to be vacated by 2039, partly because of the risks of climate change.
Residents were relieved a few months later when another vote saw the council agreeing to pause the process to allow for further consultation.
Three options were put to the community in May - a five-year fixed term with no renewal, a single fixed term of 30 years or rolling 10-year terms with the ability to renew, up to a maximum of 30 years.
Over a five-week consultation period the council received 211 submissions. Many submitters rejected all three options, arguing no end date should be set.
On Wednesday councillors voted for a new 30-year licence term for licence holders at the huts, with a formal review scheduled at the 20-year mark to consider future renewal.
Council executive director community services and facilities Denise Kidd said it was a significant step forward for the settlement.
"Our recent decision provides a clearer licence term, moving away from annual and short-term rollovers, giving licence holders greater certainty and the ability to plan ahead," she said.
"We are committed to working alongside residents to ensure the area remains safe, sustainable, and well-managed for years to come."
Under the new licence arrangement, environmental assessments would be undertaken every 10 years and shared publicly, to keep residents informed on any changes in the area.
Building inspections would not be included as a licence condition, no bond would be introduced, and no environmental triggers would automatically end a licence term.
Selwyn District Councillor Lydia Gliddon said it was a good outcome.
"I support the 30-year licence. It doesn't mean that there is a pre-determined end date on this. I think it provides residents with stability, fairness and security," she said.
"When I look at the 20-year review mark I think it allows you that forward planning from the 30 years onwards, so we don't end up in the same situation of going, 'we're at 30 years so what do we do now?'. I think if the circumstances change it should only be because of very clear, agreed, environmental triggers not arbitrary timeframes."
The first fisherman's huts at the Upper Selwyn Huts were built in 1888. Until about 1990, prospective owners had to have a current fishing licence in order to obtain a hut licence. Intended only as temporary accommodation, over the years there had been a drift from occasional to permanent use of the huts.
Hut owners were granted licences to occupy, usually on a five-year basis.
In 2019, the council determined the Upper Selwyn Hut licences would be for a finite period because of the risks and costs to people living there.
Deeds of licence due to expire in 2020 were extended via letters and in 2022, another letter extended the licence to occupy until June 2024, on the basis of encroaching climate change and modelling showing rising sea and lake levels might put the settlement at risk.
Subsequent extensions were granted to allow for community consultation.
A council-commissioned report last year found the settlement was not likely to be affected by rising groundwater and lake levels in the next 30 years.
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