Within Bethlehem, Carrus created the critical mass required for development of the Bethlehem Town Centre to become economic, together with associated business activities. This same commercial model will apply at the Lakes.
The Lakes is a 250ha development that to date is around 25 per cent complete and, like all land developments, needs time to mature to its full potential.
Visible development so far covers less than 50 per cent of the total land area. In its final form, the development incorporates elevated land up to the new Pyes Pa roundabout, with beautiful rural views.
Even in these early days of the Lakes development, there are amenities not available in most other suburbs of Tauranga, including 8ha of lakes, around 20km of cycle tracks and walkways, many already in place to the highest standard in Tauranga.
In total, 100ha of parks, reserves and playgrounds are planned. Significant elevated plateaus exist throughout the development with no drained swamps. Lakes have been built where low-lying ground previously existed. These lakes provide a wonderful recreational amenity for all Tauranga residents - as already witnessed by the kayaking and model-boat enthusiasts using the facilities.
All earthworks completed have been engineered to provide building sites that are superior to the natural soil conditions in Tauranga and come with a geotechnical report certifying their suitability for house building.
Extensive landscape planting exists - 200,000 plants and trees planted to date ensure the Lakes will be a leafy suburb.
With Tauranga's main arterial route on the doorstep of the Lakes, there is easy access to downtown Tauranga and the Mount beaches, Rotorua, Hamilton and Auckland.
A public transport system already links the Lakes with Greerton, Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.
A neighbourhood shopping area is provided for within the Lakes. This will be completed within a few years by Carrus, when the subdivision has sufficient residents to make this commercially sound, including cafes, medical centre, hairdresser, garden centre and convenience store. A new shopping mall to be constructed on the Tauriko Business Estate is planned to be larger than Bayfair and is 200m from the Lakes subdivision's northern entrance.
Tauranga City Council has purchased 72ha of land in Pyes Pa Rd adjacent to the southern end of the Lakes subdivision for a new sports facility for all codes.
The Ministry of Education has purchased land adjoining the Lakes subdivision for a new primary school, and the Lakes is ideally located for access to all the high demand secondary schools in Tauranga.
The Lakes is a model of urban design with the "live, work and play at your doorstep" concept. It will mature, as the development progresses, with another 1000 lots yet to be built - this subdivision does offer the "wow" factor.
When the online editor is ready to purchase a property of her own, I would welcome her revisiting the Lakes, when she will find that this development has matured into being the best in town, and ticks all the boxes.
Carrus is excited to be the developer of this large project and to have the opportunity to contribute to the much-needed revitalisation of residential development and building, adding to the Bay of Plenty's economic well-being.
