Council focus on housing

By Mary Anne Gill

Housing is such a significant issue for Waipā that the newly-elected council has escalated its importance by establishing a new housing sub-committee.

The decision was made at this week’s Strategic Planning and Policy committee and the new committee replaces the Housing Working Group which had reported to the Finance and Corporate committee.

Strategy group manager Kirsty Downey said the sub-committee would focus on matters relating to housing for the elderly and affordable and social housing.

Liz Stolwyk will chair the sub-committee of Clare St Pierre, Andrew Brown, Roger Gordon and Susan O’Regan.

Its first job will be to develop and deliver an implementation plan for the Waikato Regional Council’s Housing Initiative and Waipā Plan on a Page.

The regional strategy vision is that every person and family in the Waikato is well-housed.

Waipā’s vision is that every person in the district is well-housed, living in sustainable, flourishing and connected communities.

The forerunner to the sub committee was a Pensioner Housing working group established seven years ago. Last term the council decided its remit needed to expand to include wider social and affordable housing considerations.

“As part of the induction of the new council in late 2022, housing was recognised as a significant issue affecting our Waipā communities,” said Downey.

What’s going on with Te Awamutu-Kihikihi growth cells?

T2: Approved, under development.

T9: Progressing, although issues with landowners on intersection arrangement

T11: Resource consent for subdivision (76 lots) is being processed.

T15: An application for the large lot residential area has been lodged and is being processed.

Pirongia: Engineering plans have been approved for construction on a 45-lot development in Hudson Street.

Amberviews: Constructions has started on another stage.

Ngāhinapōuri: Construction has started on a large lot development.

Airport area: The airport area continues to be developed. The western precinct is mostly fully developed.