Lizard News JUNE 2021
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New town centre gains consent
A conceptual render of how the JACE Group town centre could look. IMAGE: Supplied.
By Matthew Farrell onsent has been granted for a new ‘mixed use’ privately-funded commercial town centre development at 404 Ōmokoroa Road, adjacent to the Kaimai Views residential subdivision. The $75 million proposal includes a retail precinct with medium density residential units, and visitor accommodation. It is the last undeveloped site in the main Ōmokoroa commercial zone with 5.3ha of commercial-zoned land and another 2.5ha zoned as future urban. An Independent Commissioner Hearing was held on 8th and 9th March and has been subject to a series of lawyers letters since, to establish agreed terms and conditions for the applicant JACE Investments.
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These include the commencement of earthworks within two and a half years, and the conclusion of the subdivision within five years. There may also be no through traffic from Kaimai Views, and no right turn into the development from the northern side. The Land Use and Subdivision Consent was subject to a three-week window for any appeals to be lodged with the Environment Court by Monday 31st May. Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Garry Webber says Council fully supports the decision made by the independent commissioners as it was always planned that Ōmokoroa would need some form of town centre facility. “With the Ōmokoroa peninsula to be fully developed and home to an estimated 12,000 residents by 2050 this development will offer current and future
residents a multitude of facilities and result in significant economic benefits for the Ōmokoroa community. “This enables Council to hit the ground running with the structure plan for the balance of Ōmokoroa, now we know where the town centre is going,” says Garry. JACE Investments was not expected to seek an anchor tenant until the conclusion of the appeal process a few days after this edition went to press. Director of JACE Group Craig Lemon has welcomed the Commissioners’ decision to grant consent for Ōmokoroa Town Centre. “The decision follows two years of extensive resource consent preparation, planning and commitment. It is a significant moment for JACE Group, and we are looking forward to commencing op-
erational planning following the final application processes. “We would like to extend our appreciation to the community for the ongoing support received during this time. It continuously reinforced our drive and ambition to achieve a successful outcome,” he says. JACE Investments is a horticultural and property development company that has been locally owned and operated in the Bay of Plenty since 2003, annually packing 15 million trays of kiwifruit, and employing more than 700 people in the Bay. Its subsidiaries include post-harvest facilities Mount Pack and Cool, and Auckland Pack and Cool, as well as 250ha of Southern Orchards kiwifruit, Gro Plus lease and management, Kiwi Green land and buildings, and Pollen Plus. Continued on page 3.