Proposed development for Te Awamutu for public feedback

A proposal to rezone approximately 28 hectares of grazing land in Te Awamutu for housing is open for public feedback from today.

The land sits immediately south of Centennial Park, bounded by the main trunk railway line to the west and Puniu Road to the south. Private Plan Change 31 (PC31) seeks to rezone it from Deferred Residential to Medium Density Residential and Reserve Zone, and includes a new structure plan to guide how the area would be developed.

The plan change has been lodged by L Cudby and LY & NZ Investments Ltd. District plan and growth manager, Wendy Robinson, says public notification is a formal step in the process, required under the Resource Management Act, and allows anyone to have their say by making a submission.

"Public notification is the community's chance to get involved before any decisions are made," Robinson says. "You don't need to be an expert - if this proposal affects you or you have a view on how Te Awamutu grows, we want to hear from you."

Water supply in western Waipā, including Te Awamutu, is currently under pressure following storm damage to the Te Tahi Water Treatment Plant in February. Robinson says the water situation has been carefully considered in the context of the proposed plan change.

"Any development that results from this proposed plan change is still years away. By that time, we expect water supply capacity constraints to support new growth will be resolved.

"If development does happen before the water situation is fully resolved, it would be subject to the same conditions that apply to all current developments in Te Awamutu, Pirongia and Kihikihi - a temporary delay on water connections until capacity is restored, with the option to install onsite rainwater tanks in the meantime."

Submissions are open from today, June 11, and close at 5pm on Monday, July 13.

The full proposal, including maps and supporting information, and information on how to make a submission can be found on Council's website: Proposed Private Plan Change 31 – Te Awamutu T4 Growth Cell | Let’s Talk Waipā