Subdivision rules relaxed
Hauraki District mayor John Tregidga will retire with a smile on his face after new rules making it easier to subdivide and build new houses were signed off by council this week.
“We're experiencing growth and a lack of affordable housing in our district, so we've loosened up our rules to make it easier for people to subdivide their sections or build an additional house for parents or extended family to live in on the back of their property,” he says.
“I made a commitment to our communities three years ago that we would get this across the line before I retired and I'm really pleased to have achieved that.”
The new rules mean people in residential areas of Waihi, Paeroa and Whiritoa can subdivide their sections into smaller sized lots. It also means building additional houses on one property to cater for extended families will be possible on some smaller sized sections. Sheds for personal storage will be permitted on vacant residential sections, and more earthworks can be done without resource consent.
“While it's really encouraging to see so much growth and activity in our towns, it also brings some challenges, such as making sure we have enough land available to cater for the needs of our communities,” the mayor says.
The new rules will become operative from September 16, and the mayor says that while this is a positive move in the right direction, it's still just the beginning of a bigger process that will also address issues around zoning of land.
“Our communities are telling us we need more industrial zoned land in Waihi and more residential zoned land in Paeroa, so that's the next thing on the agenda. I'm really looking forward to watching that stage unfold from my armchair after I retire in October — I might even make a submission.”