A panel of independent commissioners have shown their support to the rezoning of approximately 15 hectares of land on Huna Road Whakatāne from ’Future Urban’ to ‘Residential’ zones to enable future housing development.
This rezoning of Huna Road, including 12 Huna Road (Julians Berry Farm), 30A Huna Road, and 234A State Highway 30, is expected to provide capacity for 150 to 175 house sites, including medium-density residential areas and papakāinga housing, all connected to council infrastructure such as water supply, wastewater, and roading.
Manager Policy Planning and Consents Nicholas Woodley says the Whakatāne District Council has been working for some time to address the district’s housing demand through the proposed plan change.
“This change to the District Plan aims to facilitate a diverse housing development and ensure coordinated infrastructure growth.”
Earlier this year, the Council sought community feedback on Plan Change 8 (Huna Road), receiving 169 submissions and three further submissions. These submissions were thoroughly reviewed, with some concerns further investigated in collaboration with submitters. Following this, a public hearing was held late last year, where a Hearings Panel of independent commissioners heard from seven submitter groups, including landowners, government agencies, hapū, and residents. Key points raised included the urgency to unlock housing areas, infrastructure capacity, environmental impact, cultural significance, traffic and safety, and housing affordability.
Mr Woodley says the Hearings Panel have now released their decision on the submissions.
“The Decision Report proposes that the Council approves the plan change with some amendments.”
Mr Woodley adds, “This recommendation marks a significant step toward unlocking residential and papakāinga development and providing more people access to housing.”
“From here, submitters have until 5pm April 2, 2025, to consider an appeal to the Environment Court, and following the appeal process, elected members will decide whether to approve the plan change,” explains Mr Woodley. “Should Plan Change 8 be approved, any future works will not occur until respective landowners first obtain the necessary resource consents.”
For more information including a copy of the Decision Report on Plan Change 8: Huna Road, go to koreromai.whakatane.govt.nz/plan-change-8.
