Council buys Park and Ride land

A section of land has been purchased by City Council for the hopes of a future park and ride rail facility.

A section of land in the north of Hamilton has been secured by the City Council for a potential park and ride facility at the Base.

The $6.4 million Rotokauri land was already under a conditional contract when it came back to Hamilton City councillors two weeks ago.

The site is 2.1ha and would be used for bus and rail transport in the future. The council bought the land early to protect the space.

Council will also not pay for the land until December 2018.

Councillor Garry Mallett did not support purchasing of land, as it was being purchased for a commuter service.

"The problem with commuter services is that it is not point to point," Mr Mallett said.

"You have to drive somewhere, get out of your car and then get onto a train.

"There is no way in the world that the train is going to stop outside the office or shop you are going too. You still have to find another transport mode to go wherever you are going too."

Mr Mallett was also concerned over council land banking without confirmation that the land will be used.

He also stressed that rail should be primarily freight as he does not believe there is enough demand for a commuter service.

Councillor Dave Macpherson said that the land is unlikely to lose value if council needs to sell if the rail service does not go ahead.

"I think it is a safe bet as you can ever had with land especially given the shortage of commercial land," Mr Macpherson said.

"This was the last piece of commercial land butting the rail line. If we don't get that then there is no other land to do it."

Deputy Mayor Martin Gallagher gave a rousing speech to councillors saying it was the last chance to snatch up a piece of land in Te Rapa.

"Folks this is the time for vision and I fully support this motion. This is actually a very historic day if we approved this motion," Mr Gallagher said.

Councillor Leo Tooman said that even if the rail service does not go ahead the council could still make a profit on the land in the future.

"The amount of development out there is fantastic and how many people are going to be actually looking for work in Auckland when I see what is going on around Hamilton here, I very doubt if we are going to have people on that train," Mr Tooman said.

Councillor Paula Southgate said she would have preferred to have seen a reviewed strategic case for rail before making a decision on buying the land.

"That strategic case for rail is under review and I am really keen to see it," Ms Southgate said.

"I would have preferred to seen it and understood it before we were in this situation."

The council voted 11 in favour and 1 against with councillor Mallett against.