Development boom a boon for Ngongotaha

Progress Ngongotaha chief executive Lynn Benfell and committees chairman Bob Martin at the site of the new $2.5 million youth centre for Ngongotaha. PHOTO/ BEN FRASER

It's all go in Ngongotaha, with two major developments in the works in a place one developer calls a "hidden jewel".

A large scale housing development and a new youth and sport centre have been announced for the village in the space of just over a week.

The housing development at 31 Ngongotaha Rd, which would see 190 new houses built, was launched on March 16 by developers, contractors and Rotorua MP Todd McClay.

Martin Schilt owns the land where the housing development will be built.

The housing development was launched last Friday. PHOTO/ STEPHEN PARKER

He believed Ngongotaha was a "bit of a hidden jewel".

"A lot of people don't realise how nice it is."

Schilt said he thought the increasing development in the area would be good for the village.

"It'll keep the schools full, it'll keep the clubs going, it'll be good for the businesses."

The village's location was also a big bonus, he said.

"It's easy to scoot to Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga. It's the perfect spot."

Despite development picking up, Schilt did not believe there was any chance of Ngongotaha losing its village feel.

"It's still going to be a village, it's not going to be giant. It's still going to be Ngongotaha.

"It will make Ngongotaha more vibrant, there will be a lot more stuff going on."

Schilt previously said the majority of people living near the development were happy with it.

There would also be plenty of green space as part of the development, including a park and playground in the centre, according to plans.

"We're not just going to squash a whole lot of houses there and walk away.

"It's a perfect recreation spot."

The development would also have environmental impacts, with the amount of nitrogen going into the lake set to be reduced once animals were taken off the land, he said.

Destination Rotorua investment, growth and intelligence executive manager Rebecca Wright said the economic benefits the housing development would have on the local businesses in the Ngongotaha village would be positive and "has the potential to attract new businesses to the area".

Progress Ngongotaha chief executive Lynn Benfell and committees chairman Bob Martin at the site of the new $2.5 million youth centre for Ngongotaha. PHOTO/ BEN FRASER

"The development also has the ability to help attract talent to the region as we are presently being affected by low housing supply so it's great to see a new development coming online to not only help people thinking of relocating but to also help those struggling to find dwellings who are already in Rotorua.

"Along with the housing announcement it's also great to see a youth centre in the works for Ngongotaha to give young people a safe place to go that was closer to home."

Progress Ngongotaha this week revealed plans for a new $2.5 million centre to be built behind the community hall off School Rd, which will include a youth centre, Scout den, and training facility for Ngongotaha netballers.

Progress Ngongotaha committees chairman Bob Martin said the project would be good for Ngongotaha.

"A major benefit for our younger children, the chosen reserve is only 50m from Ngongotaha Primary School and they will be able to use it during daytime hours, a major win."

Have your say
A public meeting will be held at Ngongotaha Community Hall at 7pm on Tuesday, March 27, to discuss the youth centre project.