Pensioner Housing project to go ahead at Kindergarten Street reserve

Council heard submissions on the reclassification of the Kindergarten Street Reserve in order to construct new Pensioner Housing on Thursday 3 December. Following the hearings, Council opted to hold deliberations in public and resolved to proceed with the reclassification with a view to constructing pensioner units on the site.

Council received 18 submissions, ten in support of the reclassification and eight opposing the reclassification, including a petition of 563 signatures.

"Submissions generally supported Council's concept of using Trade Training Centre students to build pensioner housing units and indeed commended Council for the initiative, however a number of submitters were dissatisfied with the site identified," said Ben Smit, Council's Deputy Chief Executive.

"Council recognises the weight of the petition and we acknowledge both the submissions opposing the change and the submissions supporting it," said Mayor Neil Sinclair during deliberations. "Council considered the many points raised in the submissions prior to making its decision."

Broadly, points raised by submitters and considered by Councillors included:

• Level and nature of use of the reserve
• Availability of other suitable land
• Removal of reserve land/loss of green space
• Safety of tenants in the new units
• The need for pensioner housing
• Public consultation process
• Future of the trees

In earlier communications Council indicated to the community that the legislative process that would be followed would be for Council to hear the submissions, make a recommendation to the Department of Conservation and then DoC would make the decision.

Staff ascertained on the day of the hearings that this is not in fact correct. Legalisation had changed giving councils the authority to determine the outcome for the reclassification of reserves. Council considered potential conflict issues as a result of this situation and is comfortable that the correct process has been followed and accountabilities considered. Ends: words: 295