500+ affordable homes tipped for Papamoa

Proposed special housing area at Papamoa east. Image/supplied

A big area of Maori-owned land holds the key to the construction of at least 500 affordable homes on Papamoa's new Wairakei subdivision.

Tauranga City Council is holding a public open day next Tuesday at the Golden Sands Primary School hall to discuss the proposed special housing area.

The land owned by Papamoa hapu Nga Potiki was the only major land owner in the 360-hectare Wairakei block to announce that affordable housing would be a "significant focus" of its 400 plus sections.

Three other developers with major landholdings in Wairakei - Golden Sands, Papamoa Junction and Zariba - said that "some" of their sections would target affordable house buyers.

Hawridge Development indicated that affordable homes would comprise a "minimal" part of its 600-section development.

The release of affordable housing details for Papamoa East follows the signing of the Tauranga Housing Accord in August between the Government and the city council to help address housing issues.

A number of sites around the city have been identified for special housing areas in order that they could be fast tracked under the Housing Accord and Special Housing Area legislation.

The council has been approached by a number of developers wanting to use special housing areas to deliver their development plans in Papamoa East. It was the second special housing area proposal to be consulted on - the first was at 162 Waihi Road, Judea.

Mayor Stuart Crosby said the proposals were an example of the council and developers working together to address complex planning issues, including housing affordability and supply.

"With the Tauranga Housing Accord now in place, it gives us the ability to speed up the consenting process for areas like Papamoa East where there was a clear demand for housing."

The proposed developments will provide nearly 2,000 new houses to be developed over a period of five years or longer. However the majority will not be affordable homes, even although a large number of the house and section packages would be around the $400,000 mark.

Council staff and developers' representatives will be on hand at a 3pm to 7pm open day to answer questions.
Venue: Golden Sands Primary School Hall, 26 Golden Sands Drive, Papamoa
Date and time: Tuesday 14 October from 3pm to 7pm