Greytown pub catches fire
to de-rail all that we have been striving for’’.
‘‘There is likely fallout for Flaxmere and its reputation, the likes of which it may never recover from.‘‘
Evans said residents were misled into thinking the development would be ‘‘within reach of Joe Average’’.
‘‘When people are allowed to live in cramped conditions, invariably, the lowest common denominator is never far removed. And when it does present itself, the ensuing social dysfunction will impact on all such properties.’’
The project would see 76 cohousing units and 44 standard houses built on 15.5 hectares of vacant land between Boston Crescent and Kirkwood Rd. Pricing would range from $140,000 to $375,000.
The site was entirely owned by the council, Te Taiwhenua O Heretaunga (TToH) and Te Aranga Marae.
Councillor Bayden Barber hit back at Evans, saying houses were ‘‘not for just Ma¯ ori’’.
‘‘Why do you think Joe Average would not be able to buy homes down there? Because my understanding is it would be open to anyone.’’
Evans replied by saying Flaxmere was not a ‘‘white suburb, and I don’t want one ... I cannot be accused of suggesting anything along the lines of what might be implied’’.
Project manager Emma Horgan, of TToH, said comments made by some petitioners were worrying. ‘‘There is only one co-housing development in New Zealand and that’s in Ranui, West Auckland ... One unit in that development sells for half-a-million dollars – they are high quality.’’
Horgan wanted to sit down with petitioners to explain what TToH had in mind.
Council documents said future decisions would be made in publicexcluded discussions, so the council could understand the financial consequences of its decisions and settle on terms which required negotiation. Wairarapa’s landmark pub, The White Swan, has been saved from disaster thanks, in part, to the firefighting exploits of a Black Cap bowler.
New Zealand and Central Districts fast bowler Seth Rance, who is also the Greytown Fire Brigade’s station officer, traded his black cap for a fire helmet yesterday when the pub’s roof caught fire.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokeswoman said crews from across Wairarapa were called to the blaze on Main St at 2.45pm.
It is believed the fire started near a chimney at the back corner of the building.
Rance said it was fortunate that the alarm had been sounded early.
‘‘There’s a little bit of structural and water damage but it appears to have been caught in time. It’s fortunate we got the call nice and early.’’
The White Swan is one of Wairarapa’s most recognisable buildings, having graced Greytown’s Main St since 2002.