Popular Pyes Pa west boost economy

Classic Group director Matthew Lagerberg says its two subdivisions at Pyes Pa West will provide 540 houses and it has received positive feedback about the developments. Photo/John Borren

The number of people living at Pyes Pa West has more than doubled in three years.

Figures from Tauranga City Council show about 1730 people were based in the suburb at April 30 compared to 785 residents in the March 2013 census. Pyes Pa West could have up to 3090 dwellings and was predicted to be near capacity in the 2023 to 2028 planning period " with a population of 6200.

Strategic planner Ayv Greenway said Pyes Pa West and Wairakei at Papamoa East were the two greenfields areas with the largest remaining dwelling capacity.

Statistics provided revealed at the end of last month there was 72 per cent capacity remaining (2218 houses) at Pyes Pa West compared to 86 per cent at Wairakei (3382 houses).

"Both are under rapid development in the current market. Development of this nature provides significant economic benefits to the city," Mr Greenway said.

The structure plan area for Pyes Pa West was reduced to 3090 from 3170 to account for land purchased for a future school and church, he said.

Carrus was the major developer at Pyes Pa West, alongside Classic Builders.

Carrus general manager Scott Adams said he had never "experienced such unprecedented growth and demand".

The company took control of the 2080-lot Lakes subdivision in April 2012 and was five years ahead of projection.

It was expected to be finished with the last lots sold in 2019, he said.

"So once The Lakes is finished we will be rolling straight into our Te Tumu block." Te Tumu was a new coastal suburb at Papamoa East that Carrus would develop alongside two other owners.

However, Mr Adams estimated between The Lakes, Kennedy Ridge, Hastings Heights, and with some residual lifestyle lots, the final yield for Pyes Pa West would not be much higher than 2600 dwellings because of the challenging contour and soft ground conditions.

Classic Group director Matthew Lagerberg said its Hastings Heights subdivision would be complete at the end of this year while it hoped to finish Kennedy Ridge subdivision within five years.

The subdivisions would accommodate about 540 houses and at the moment land and house packages ranged from $449,000 to $649,000, he said.

Priority One projects manager Annie Hill said the rapid growth at Pyes Pa West was great for the local economy.

"The most important point is that the population growth and desirability is being matched by strong job growth and shows that our economy is growing sustainably.

"We are increasingly being contacted by people who want to find work here or bring their businesses here. In addition people tend to invest more in areas where there is a strong housing market."

Remaining capacity as at April 30, 2016
- Bethlehem: 1143 (26per cent)
- Pyes Pa: 319 (12per cent)
- Pyes Pa west (The Lakes): 2218 (72per cent)
- Ohauiti: 259 (17per cent)
- Welcome Bay: 285 (17per cent)
- Papamoa: 1839 (16per cent)
- Wairakei: 3382 (18 per cent)