Putaruru Growth Plan enters District Plan rezone stage

The Putāruru Growth Planning project has moved into the next stage which will focus on a proposed zoning change under the District Plan.

"Interest and support for the Putāruru Growth Plan has been exceptionally positive and Council has been extremely fortunate to have the support, guidance and enthusiasm from Putāruru Moving Forward (PMF)," said Mayor Jenny Shattock. "We need to remember that 1,300 sections are not going to be available tomorrow however a District Plan review looking to re-zone land for additional housing has started already."

The District Plan change process needs to occur in line with the Resource Management Act and that process may take up to a year.

"The Growth Plan looks out 30 years and if all areas identified for re-zoning go ahead we could be looking at around 1,300 sections over the next three decades or more; or roughly 43 new sections per year," said Sam Marshall, Council's Community Group Manager. "The rate of development is dependent on factors like market demand and Council's ability to service new development with infrastructure."

"The key aim of growth planning is to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the future development of townships and that the District Plan caters for this growth," he continued.

A group of passionate people are driving this project through PMF, believing that growth for Putāruru is a must.

"The success of this project is a result of engagement and cooperation between those involved," said PMF Chair Stu Edmeades. "The relationship PMF shares with Councillors and staff has ensured a complete union with one goal in mind. We are very fortunate in having a supportive community that is passionate for progress to be made, as not only will it give first home buyers an opportunity to settle in a caring community but will also attract high end housing along with business."

The South Waikato Investment Trust is keen to see the growth plan move forward to foster continued economic growth aligned to population growth.

"The South Waikato District has several advantages for businesses looking to establish or expand here," said Francis Pauwels of the SWIF Trust. "These include location on SH1, proximity to ports, the expressway, rail links and access to a reliable workforce that can afford to live here."

According to the Trust realising our location advantages is a three-fold strategy - ensure there is ready to go' zoned industrial and commercial land, ensure there is ample zoned and ready land for residential housing and actively market the business advantages.

"Businesses and people are being squeezed out of Auckland due to high rental costs and difficulty in finding workers so it is an opportune time to promote our location advantages," continued Mr Pauwels.

For more detail on the growth planning project visit the project page here.

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