Council confirms land purchase
2 February 2017
Waipa District Council has purchased a block of land in Te Awamutu which may unlock land for affordable housing.
The 3.7 hectares at 1262 Cambridge Road is currently zoned rural with a small area fronting Cambridge Road zoned residential. The site is ear-marked to be used for future residential growth in Council's Waipa 2050 Growth Strategy.
Using the land for housing would require a change to the District Plan, which would need to be heard by an independent commissioner. Any Plan change application would trigger a public consultation process.
Mayor Jim Mylchreest said the land purchase was a strategic one, taking into account the district's needs. He said there was huge potential for the land to be developed for affordable housing, allowing first-time buyers and young families into Te Awamutu's housing market.
But Council was also eyeing the site for pensioner housing.
The land is just a short distance from a major shopping centre and a range of services so there is fantastic potential for pensioner housing there, he said.
It's no secret that developing more pensioner housing for our district at no cost to the ratepayer is something this council is absolutely committed to. Given the growth in Te Awamutu and the potential of this land, I'm very pleased to have secured it.
Mylchreest said while Council was taking a long-term view, development of the land would be high on Council's list of priorities. He has asked for work to begin immediately on potential changes to the District Plan.
Council paid $695,000 for the property.
For more information, contact: Natalie Palmer 027 807 3174