Kaiko¯ura set to get 400 new homes after $7.8m Govt boost

Housing projects in Kaiko¯ ura are set to be fast-tracked, thanks to a $7.8 million Government cash injection.

Funding from Ka¯inga Ora’s Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (IAF) will fund infrastructure to support more than 400 new homes in Kaiko¯ ura, including housing for the elderly and those on low to medium incomes.

Housing is planned across two different sites – a proposed new subdivision in the town, Vicarage Views, and Ocean Ridge, south of Kaiko¯ ura. The project is one of seven around the country that secured Government funding announced by Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods on Thursday.

Kaiko¯ ura mayor Craig Mackle said the project would help to fill a gap in modern, low to medium income housing and elderly housing units.

‘‘The funding from the IAF is a potential game changer to help address this need within our housing stock – both now and into the future.’’

It will support new roading, footpaths and cycleways to connect the two subdivisions and the town.

Mackle said the council had been working closely with Ocean Ridge developer Garry Robertson on the proposed 83-home Vicarage Views subdivision on the former North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery Alliance village site, near Ludstone Rd.

It is subject to a resource consent, while a plan change will be needed for a proposed Ocean Ridge expansion.

The infrastructure upgrades are expected to begin over the next 12 months, with the first Iaf-enabled houses planned to be built next year.

Stage one comprised 43 modern homes, including 20 elderly housing units, which would qualify for the Government’s First Home Grant House Price Cap scheme.

To support stage one, infrastructure will include a footpath connecting Vicarage Views to schools on Ludstone Rd and the town centre, and the initial stages of a cycle way from Ludstone Rd to Ocean Ridge, via Green Lane. The sealing and upgrading of Green Lane, a new rail crossing and a further extension of the cycle way were also planned.

Later stages of the project will involve river protection works and an upgrade to the council’s three waters infrastructure to enable additional homes in the Ocean Ridge subdivision.

Woods said the fund was set up to jumpstart housing developments by funding the necessary services, like roads and pipelines to homes.