The future of the district’s housing stock was back in the spotlight this week with public hearings held for those wishing to voice their feedback on Plan Change 8 (Huna Road).
Significant progress has been made to date on the proposal, which seeks to amend the Whakatāne District Plan to address the district’s housing demand by rezoning land from Deferred Residential to Residential to allow for housing to be developed. The change to the Councils ‘rule book’ encourages the development of a diverse range of housing. Additionally, the proposal includes a coordinated approach to the development of infrastructure, ensuring that necessary facilities and services accompany the growth in residential areas.
The initiative stems from the owners of 12 Huna Road (Julians Berry Farm) expressing interest in developing the property back in 2021. However, Manager Policy, Planning and Consents Nicholas Woodley, says the proposed change focusses on adjusting the existing regulatory framework to make the development process more accessible for landowners, rather than on the sale of specific properties.
“The primary focus of Plan Change 8 is to rezone about 15 hectares of land on Huna Road, including 12 Huna Road, 30A Huna Road, and 234A State Highway 30, to enable residential and papakāinga development.”
He continues, “The rezoned land is expected to provide capacity for 150 to 175 house sites, including medium-density residential areas and papakāinga housing that will connect to council infrastructure such as water supply, wastewater, and roading.”
On Wednesday, a Hearings Panel of independent commissioners heard from seven submitters, ranging from landowners, government agencies, hapū and residents. Key points raised included the urgency to unlock a large area for housing in the short and medium term until new development areas are identified within the Spatial Plan currently underway. The Spatial Plan is a large and complex project with many organisations involved and is not due to be completed until August 2025.
In addition, the panel heard concerns about infrastructure capacity, environmental impact, cultural significance, traffic and safety, and the need for housing affordability.
Earlier this year, the Council sought community feedback on Plan Change 8, with a total of 169 submissions and 3 further submissions received. These submissions were thoroughly reviewed, and some issues were further investigated in collaboration with submitters. The recommendations on these submissions have since been compiled into a Planners Recommendation Report, which together with the feedback gained from yesterday’s hearings, will be reviewed by The Hearings Panel before a decision is made early next year.
For more information, including a copy of the Planners Recommendation Report, please visit koreromai.whakatane.govt.nz/plan-change-8.