Council rezone frees up 140 new sections

Mayor Lawrence Yule.

In a bid to address Hastings growth issues, the district's council has approved as many as 140 new sections along Howard Rd.

Yesterday councillors approved a move to rezone more than 20ha in Parkvale, moving its development forward by about 10 years, to be completed by the end of 2107 as long as no problems are experienced.

Addressing the meeting, mayor Lawrence Yule thanked the council's planning and infrastructure team for delivering their work on time.

In addition to the Howard Road rezone, council also signed off on variations to the industrial land on Omahu Rd and Irongate Rd and the Heretaunga Plains Urban Development Strategy.

"A significant amount of work has been done in a very short period of time to try and deal with the growth issues we are facing," he said.

"I know all of you [the council staff] sitting up here have spent hours doing this - and the council is grateful for it."

Mr Yule said, after the meeting, that the council had lifted the amount of available industrial land that is not developed from 100ha to 250ha.

"So we are trying to help the market and people looking to develop things by releasing all this land," he said.

A council spokeswoman said the Howard site had been chosen because water supply and sewerage infrastructure are within reasonable reach, there were options for storm water management. She said it was also near to schools and potential employment.

Citing a report to council, she said the land was owned by people keen to proceed with a development as soon as possible, and that this added to its attractiveness.

"It is crucial in this market that we get development as soon as possible," said Mr Yule.

"Being able to proceed with a rezoning on land that we can be reasonably sure will go to market is important."

Simon Tremain from Tremains real estate and owner of 2.5ha of the Howard Rd land welcomed the news - saying it was great in the face of rising demand for homes.

The council spokeswoman said yesterday Mr Tremain was able to confirm he was ready develop a lifestyle village on the property as soon as the necessary regulatory processes had been completed.

She said his plan included 72 two-bedroom units, some with single garages and some with double garages, built in low maintenance materials.

"No one saw this market coming, and now it's arrived," Mr Tremain said.

"Council has been very quick to react, getting this land on the way to being subdivided as quickly as possible. It's a very positive move."