Social Housing Update | AUGUST 2023
Kāinga Ora, New Zealand's national public housing agency, via Private Developers have recently acquired 7 Clark Road. This has led to a redesign proposal for 5-7 Clark Road. This proposed development will have 4 x two storey blocks, 14 homes, 20 carparks and an outdoor play area for the children, showing marked improvements over their previous applications.
The new design focuses on multiple aspects that resonate with the community's desires and needs. Notably:
1. Adequate Parking: Recognising the increasing need for space and vehicle accommodations in urban environments, the design integrates ample parking facilities, ensuring that residents don't face issues related to parking and congestion, particularly as we have currently no public transport or easy alternative modes of transport available in our area.
2. Green Spaces: One of the most appreciated features is the incorporation of a green space specifically designed for children. Not only does this provide a safe and nurturing environment for kids to play, but it also boosts the overall well-being of the community.
3. Two-Storey Complexes: To ensure that the new development doesn't overshadow or feel out of place, the complexes have been limited to two storeys. This design choice guarantees that the new housing integrates seamlessly into the existing environment and aesthetics of the neighbourhood.
It's regrettable that the development lacks ground-floor retail despite its future active street appeal. As the town evolves, this area had the potential to serve as the epicentre of our burgeoning commercial scene. But in the absence of well-structured planning, such as a spatial plan, downtown strategies, and design guidelines, we stand to witness piecemeal developments that might not serve the community's best interests. At the core, this reflects the Council’s shortcomings in collaborating with the community on an issue 85% of respondents highlighted as crucial in the February survey.
King Street
The property at 2 King Street, currently in for resource consent, has undergone a transformation in purpose. Originally slated for public housing, it has now been designated for affordable homes. These homes will be available for purchase on the open market, enabling more people to take a step towards homeownership. Affordable home ownership is something that excites us.
Kerikeri Road
Kāinga Ora, with Ngāti Rēhia have reached out and invited different community groups to form a reference group to assist decision making on options for this development at 115 Kerikeri Road. We will keep you updated as things move forward.
Ongoing enhancements in the developments are a testament to our community's unwavering push for betterment. Our community took a proactive stance, rallying behind a petition that sought a pause in developments until comprehensive plans are established. In all honesty, we're tired of constantly playing catch-up. Considering that our Ward contributes nearly 50% of the general rates, and with Kerikeri positioned as the fastest-growing area – especially with mounting pressure from the central government to elevate it to a Tier 3 town – adequate planning is a reasonable expectation.