Development surges at Parua Bay

Development is booming around Northland, no area more so than Parua Bay.
With a four percent growth rate in the last census compared to two percent in the rest of the district, the growth of the sleepy seaside settlement on the northern side of Whangarei Harbour is set to continue.
A coastal management strategy had identified Parua Bay as a service area for the Whangarei Heads and an area of high growth, according to Whangarei District Council's environmental services manager Ian McAlley.
Several subdivisions and two major developments were helping make that vision a reality.
Construction has started on the first stage of a $3 million shopping centre opposite Parua Bay Primary School, while work on the 150-berth marina should get underway before Christmas.
Shopping centre developer Tony Workman said the community was ecstatic to be gaining a superette and three shops in the near future, with a further five shops in the pipeline if interest continued.
"It will offer growth to Parua Bay, and provide more facilities," Mr Workman said. Most residents spoken to by the Advocate agreed.
"It'll be good, it's a growing area, and it's a long way into Onerahi to get anything," said Carol Evans, secretary at Parua Bay Primary School.
Locals can also look forward to public launching ramps for trailer boats at the marina, which is on track to being completed by late next year.
Project manager Dick Thorburn said a prospectus was likely to be approved by the Securities Commission later this month, after which dredging the bay of 20,000cu m of material could get underway.
The $7.5 million marina will have 24-hour security, a caf?, fuel pumps and sewage disposal, powered jetties and a manager's residence.
Mr McAlley said the impact of an increasing population was a cause of concern for some Parua Bay residents.
"The subdivisions on Kiteone Rd have changed the character and shape of the area quite markedly."
Parua Bay Tavern owner Lesley Donelley said longer commuting times with the increase in traffic was a setback, but overall the developments were good for the community.
"It's great - it's growing and getting more people into the area. More people are coming past the door, and hopefully they come in," she said.
To manage the growth, the council is working on a master plan for the area, taking in the future development of a pedestrian village, said Whangarei District Councillor Robin Lieffering.
"We're working on where a village should extend to, good sites for a library and public toilets, and where residential areas should extend to in the future."
Mr McAlley said the Parua Bay community was positive about the changes, and the idea of Parua Bay being a hub for the Whangarei Heads.