It's feared waiving a $150,000 fee for a new international standard badminton facility in Christchurch, could start a chain reaction.

The centre proposed by Zhu Badminton Development in Wigram would allow 10 hours of public use every week.

But the Council's Innovation and Sustainability Committee has voted against waiving its usual fee - because the project doesn't fit the criteria of being unique and compelling.

Chairwoman Vicki Buck says it's a question of criteria.

"What the committee was concerned about was allowing the remission of this, allowed the remission rates of a whole lot of other organisations.

"That meant effectively it would affect our budget."

Buck admits the criteria are tough - and only one project has met them.

She says it was for the restoration of an historic building - which didn't actually go ahead.