Latest news with #InfrastructureAccelerationFund
1News
11-07-2025
- Business
- 1News
Is this the site of New Zealand's next housing boom?
A Kaikōura developer says he is ready to "push the button" on new housing, when the market picks up. The 7ha Vicarage Views sub-division on Ludstone Rd is consented and has the infrastructure in place to support 83 houses, including older person's units. "At the moment, it is a paddock, so it can be grazed to give us an income, but we can push the button when the market picks up," Vicarage Views owner Garry Robertson said. "It is fully enabled. The bridge has been widened, services have been enabled to the boundary. It is consented and priced up and we could have sections developed in four months, if the demand is there." Kaikōura's Vicarage Views sub-division is ready to go, when the market picks up. (Source: Vicarage Views Ltd) ADVERTISEMENT He is planning to start advertising soon to test the market with pre-sales. The Kaikōura District Council received a $7.8m grant from Kainga Ora's Infrastructure Acceleration Fund three years ago to allow for affordable housing and older person's units. Vicarage Views would include 20 older person's units, with prices for the 83 houses expected to range from $725,000 to $1.2m. "I think it will go like a rocket when we go to market, but I'm just waiting to pull the trigger," Robertson said. The funding has paid for road upgrades, shared pathways, footpaths, culverts and bridge strengthening. When the Vicarage Views is built, the new residents will be able to walk or cycle to school and into town. The Infrastructure Acceleration Fund agreement was for 400 new homes, with the balance in the Ocean Ridge sub-division, to the south of the town. ADVERTISEMENT Robertson said his company Cargill Station Ltd was planning to lodge a private plan change soon to open up more sections. "The market has changed in the last 20 years. When Ocean Ridge was designed it was for big sections and it was promoted as a lifestyle sub-division. "But people don't want 800sqm sections any more. They don't want chicken houses or veggie gardens. They want a 400sqm section with a big house." The layout of sections in the Vicarage Views sub-division. (Source: Vicarage Views Ltd) For those who do want a larger section, the Highgate development at the top of Ocean Ridge offered half acre and one acre sections in bush, with views of the sea and the mountains, for between $1.2m and $3m. A 2ha area has been set aside for a commercial development, along with a village green. There is even capacity for a school at Ocean Ridge, if required. ADVERTISEMENT The shared pathway would be extended in time and a new road added to link Ocean Ridge with Vicarage Views, providing alternative access to the town centre. The Infrastructure Acceleration Fund has now been passed on to the Government's National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Agency. Despite the delays, Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said he was confident the housing outcomes would be delivered. "We will need to work through with the new agency in terms of where things are at and how we are going against the new delivery plan. "There is a very different economic climate to when it was first proposed three years ago, but we are looking at 2026 to deliver on our housing outcomes in Vicarage Views." Robertson also owned the Seaview Kaikōura sub-division and said he had enough land available to meet Kaikōura's housing needs for the next 30 years. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
25-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Community To Have Their Say On Central City Water Reservoirs Design
Press Release – Hamilton City Council The two new 25 million litre water reservoirs, to be built next to the existing reservoir on Ruakiwi Road, will support growth in the central city, increasing the supply of water for drinking and firefighting, while continuing to supply Waikato Hospital. Landscaping, materials, and viewing paths are all up for discussion as Hamilton City Council seeks more community feedback on the design elements of two new waterreservoirs planned near Hamilton Lake. The two new 25 million litre water reservoirs, to be built next to the existing reservoir on Ruakiwi Road, will support growth in the central city, increasing the supply of water for drinking and firefighting, while continuing to supply Waikato Hospital. The first reservoir is planned to be constructed by 2028, while the second is expected to be needed from 2040. The project is funded through the Government's Infrastructure Acceleration Fund, which supports various projects that will enable around 4000 new homes and 10,800 new residents in the central city by 2035. Public feedback earlier this year helped shape the proposed design and layout of the reservoirs, and since then Council has been working with residents surrounding the site. Now the community are being encouraged to have their say on design elements like materials, public access, and landscaping until Sunday 13 July. Unit Director Design and Deliver Kelly Stokes said community feedback, amongst other considerations like cost and maintenance, will help shape the design and site features, including potential connections to the lake. 'This is a significant project for Hamilton, it's more than just a piece of new infrastructure, it'll be a landmark for years to come. We're encouraging the community to get involved, we want to hear people's thoughts on our proposed design, which includes public access and a viewing path.' To find out more and have your say visit or chat with the project team at the public drop-in session at The Verandah Café, Wednesday 9 July 2025, 5pm – 7pm. What happens next? Public feedback and staff recommendations will be presented to Elected Members at the Community and Natural Environment Committee meeting 5 August 2025. To enable the construction of the reservoirs, later this year applications will be made to designate land under the Resource Management Act 1991 and reclassify land under the Reserves Act 1977.
Scoop
25-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Community To Have Their Say On Central City Water Reservoirs Design
Landscaping, materials, and viewing paths are all up for discussion as Hamilton City Council seeks more community feedback on the design elements of two new waterreservoirs planned near Hamilton Lake. The two new 25 million litre water reservoirs, to be built next to the existing reservoir on Ruakiwi Road, will support growth in the central city, increasing the supply of water for drinking and firefighting, while continuing to supply Waikato Hospital. The first reservoir is planned to be constructed by 2028, while the second is expected to be needed from 2040. The project is funded through the Government's Infrastructure Acceleration Fund, which supports various projects that will enable around 4000 new homes and 10,800 new residents in the central city by 2035. Public feedback earlier this year helped shape the proposed design and layout of the reservoirs, and since then Council has been working with residents surrounding the site. Now the community are being encouraged to have their say on design elements like materials, public access, and landscaping until Sunday 13 July. Unit Director Design and Deliver Kelly Stokes said community feedback, amongst other considerations like cost and maintenance, will help shape the design and site features, including potential connections to the lake. 'This is a significant project for Hamilton, it's more than just a piece of new infrastructure, it'll be a landmark for years to come. We're encouraging the community to get involved, we want to hear people's thoughts on our proposed design, which includes public access and a viewing path.' To find out more and have your say visit or chat with the project team at the public drop-in session at The Verandah Café, Wednesday 9 July 2025, 5pm – 7pm. What happens next? Public feedback and staff recommendations will be presented to Elected Members at the Community and Natural Environment Committee meeting 5 August 2025. To enable the construction of the reservoirs, later this year applications will be made to designate land under the Resource Management Act 1991 and reclassify land under the Reserves Act 1977.
