The Lakes Bridgewater Village Incorporated Society chairman Neville Vucich says he has everything he needs on hand in his suburb. Photo / George Novak
The Lakes Bridgewater Village Incorporated Society chairman Neville Vucich says he has everything he needs on hand in his suburb. Photo / George Novak
For pensioner Neville Vucich, all he needs to get by is in The Lakes.
"I can't remember the last time we've been to the city to buy something. That's over a matter of years too, not just recent times."
Vucich is chairman of the Bridgewater Village Incorporated Society, a pocketof homes down a private road that hosts some of The Lakes' oldest homes. Its residents are among those to have lived in the relatively new suburb the longest.
Vucich has been in The Lakes since 2014 and nods in agreement when asked about having seen the suburb's spectacular growth from what was once green paddocks.
Originally, The Lakes was 254 hectares of farmland. It has been developed into more than 2000 sections by Carrus Corporation, led by Sir Paul Adams and son Scott Adams who bought the site from Grasshopper Farms after it went into receivership in 2011.
Development since has barely stopped. Last year, the shortage of land in The Lakes prompted 26 properties to sell for more than $1 million. Real estate agents at the time said much of the demand was coming from Aucklanders keen to move to the area - many of whom were young families.
Scott Adams said at the time: "We have taken a farm and turned it into a community."
Residents living in this part of The Lakes have most things available to them within walking distance with Tauranga Crossing not far away. Photo / George Novak
Vucich said the area was very community-oriented and well catered for. As he spoke, his neighbour's cat Max rubbed against his legs while Vucich's wife socialised with friends nearby.
However, concerns at a lack of amenities for older children and older people were raised with Tauranga City Council commissioners when they met with The Lakes Community Association earlier this year.
Vucich disputed any suggestion there was of a lack of amenities for seniors, in his village at least.
"We are still mobile, we drive a car. We've got heaps of walking tracks. A lot of people enjoy going for a walk, I try to do half an hour each day. If I want to go to a movie, I can walk or drive there. There are heaps of restaurants and the supermarket.
"There's nothing we need to go to the city for."
Vucich said it was harder to speak for other seniors in other parts of The Lakes but felt the suburb had plenty on offer without going overboard.
"You can't expect everything to be available next door, just hop on the bus for free and it will take you there. We have plenty of bus stops. And if you can't do that as a senior person, you probably should be in care."
Community concerns regarding amenities in The Lakes are being considered by the city council, which is expected to sign off its Long-term Plan at the end of this month.
