Te Awamutu and Kihikihi are planning for growth

Te Awamutu and Kihikihi will need around 3500 more houses by 2050.

Te Awamutu and Kihikihi will need nearly 3500 more houses by 2050 to cope with projected population growth.

That's two new houses per week for the next 37 years to house more than 18,000 people likely to be living in the area.

These figures and more are outlined in Waipa District Council's draft Waipa 2050 District Growth Strategy. The strategy outlines what growth is projected for the district and details how the council proposes managing it.

While Kihikihi's existing town boundary provides for enough growth up to 2050, Te Awamutu will need a further 286 hectares of land for housing.

In Te Awamutu, council also wants an additional 20ha of industrial land and 16ha for commercial land to accommodate new factories, warehousing, office space and retail development. Smaller Waipa settlements also come under the spotlight.

By 2050:

* Karapiro's population is expected to increase by 400, requiring 85ha of new residential land. Further growth is proposed to the northwest of the village.

* Ngahinapouri looks set to grow by around 380 people, requiring 50ha of new residential land and another 170 houses. A small neighbourhood shopping centre is proposed and the local primary school may need to be expanded.

* Ohaupo's population is expected to grow by around 190 people, requiring 35ha of new residential land and another 90ha on large lots. There is potential to create a new housing area with access to Lake Rotomanuka.

* By 2050 Pirongia will be home to nearly 2000 people following a population increase of around 480. That will require 70ha of new residential land and another 230 houses. There is currently enough land within the current village boundary to accommodate the growth. New retail space will be required before 2050.

* Pukeatua is projected to grow by 70 people with 20ha of new residential land required for another 30 houses. It is likely more tourism infrastructure will be needed to cope with the impact of Maungatautari Sanctuary Mountain. Both residential growth and tourism accommodation can be provided for within existing zoned land.

* Rukuhia's population will climb by around 140 with another 60 houses requiring 35ha of new residential land. Development in Hamilton will bring Rukuhia closer to the city and new roading projects are likely to remove most of the traffic from Ohaupo Rd.

* Te Miro will grow by around 85 people, requiring 35 new houses and another 20ha of land. Future growth is likely to be near the school with lifestyle properties proposed.

* Te Pahu is also likely to grow by around 140 people, potentially driving 60 new houses and requiring 35ha of new residential land. Sections sizes are likely to be around 5000m2.

* There are also plans to provide more land for industrial development around Hamilton airport.