A proposal to convert a rural block of land in Taupō into a residential subdivision that could see the building of almost 800 new homes is one step closer to approval.
The Taupō District Council has voted to accept a recommendation to approve a private District Plan change to rezone 77.79ha of land in Nukuhau from a rural environment into a mix of general and medium density residential zones.
The land is located to the west of Acacia Bay Rd, near Lakewood Dr, and north of Poihipi Rd, where it joins Wairakei Dr.
In 2020, the council accepted the private plan change request, subject to a public submission and hearings process.
The request was proposed by three co-operating landowners who said it would allow for the future development of approximately 780 dwellings, as well as a neighbourhood shopping centre and areas for stormwater and recreation reserves.
The landowners are listed as AN Rajasingham, LPT Trustees No 124 Ltd and Thiru Trustee Co Ltd of 24 Acacia Bay Rd, Lexus Trustees 11 Ltd of 48 Acacia Bay Rd, and CN Top Investment Ltd of 6 Poihipi Rd.
The area had previously been identified as a future growth area in the Taupō District 2050 Growth Management Strategy.
Public submissions on the proposed changes were received in early 2021, with hearings held in November last year.
The hearings panel was put together under a Joint Management Agreement between the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board and Taupō District Council and was made up of one trust board member, one council member and another member (and chairperson) selected by the first two panel members.
The council's Policy and Strategy General Manager John Ridd said the Hearings Panel recommended council approve the plan change, with some amendments made as a result of the hearing process.
“The key changes to the plan include heightening the council’s discretion when granting a resource consent for the subdivision, ensuring the management of traffic impacts of the subdivision, the inclusion of a cultural values assessment for the site, the introduction of minimum and maximum lot sizes, additional stormwater management, and provisions around crime prevention and ecology.
“In line with the panel’s recommendations, we will also be looking to bring forward our investigation into the control gates bridge to next year as part of our Annual Plan process.
"Alongside this, it’s also important to highlight that no development within the plan change area can progress until an appropriate solution to dealing with increased wastewater is addressed,” he said.
The council's decision and plan change will now be notified to the public and any person who made a submission on Plan Change 37 may appeal the decision to the Environment Court.
Appeals must be lodged with the Environment Court within 30 working days from Friday, March 4, 2022.
For details regarding the plan change, the Hearings Panel decision and how to lodge an appeal, visit www.taupo.govt.nz/nukuhauplanchange.
Credit: Stuff.co.nz
