First day of hearings on housing plans told
would be needed.
He also believed a Ka¯inga Ora development on Lee Rd Reserve would “disproportionately” change the areas “demographics” and the council would be better off pursuing large-scale greenfield developments.
“The benefit of selling them doesn’t outweigh the cost.”
However, fellow real estate agent Steve Lovegrove stood alone among the 20 in saying he supported the proposal and “resolving the housing situation”.
Lovegrove said he was not in favour of an exclusive sale of land to Ka¯inga Ora.
“We do need social housing, I’m not against that [but it] shouldn’t be exclusively dedicated to that.”
Lovegrove also advised caution in selling Lee Rd Reserve for public housing due to the potential impact on the All Seasons Holiday Park — “right beside a successful tourist facility”.
At the beginning of the hearing, committee chairwoman Merepeka Raukawa-tait said there was a housing crisis in Rotorua and the council was “looking to ensure that we can get our families into homes at some stage”.
The council has previously said no decisions had been made and community feedback would be used to help decide whether to proceed and how.
Decisions still to be made include whether or not to proceed with the revocation and sale of any reserve or part reserve, the legal method for revocation and disposal, the reserves to be developed or enhanced with funds from the proceeds of any sales and any conditions to be applied to housing development by purchasers.
The hearings will continue today from 9.30am, then again on Thursday and Monday.