Newspaper Article 1994 – Dwyer warns on Lyndhurst block

Dwyer warns on Lyndhurst block

By Mike Tod
Staff reporter, Hastings

Hastings could lose around $150-million of investment if, in August councillors fail to allow the Lyndhurst block to be used for houses, mayor Jeremy Dwyer said today.

Mr Dwyer said nine councillors, who he would not name, had told him they wanted another debate on Lyndhurst. But this did not mean they had changed their minds since the March vote that was lost 8-7.

“Personally, I support bringing in the Lyndhurst block. It’s a vital piece of the jigsaw that would put Hastings completely back in the picture. The district should not ignore the momentum that is building up for the city to enter a period of real progress,” he said.

“The settlement of the high schools issue, the great news on the motorway, the imminence of a decision on the regional hospital, evidence of a mini-boom in the commercial centre of Hastings, and the establishment of a Mainstreet promotional programme are all positive for the economy and community. What is needed now is a ‘quick start, kick start’ that only Lyndhurst can provide.

“If it is good enough for a motorway to traverse the very same land in question for the purpose of production and economic transportation, then it is certainly equally good enough for the city to be neatly and cost-effectively compacted into the Lyndhurst block.”

Mr Dwyer said it had to be remembered it was the city that serviced and added value to the production of land surrounding it.

He says that before the new debate, which will only go ahead if all councillors are present, interested groups should be given the chance to make brief oral presentations.

Council officers have been instructed to prepare reports for the debate.

The Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce would like to see Lyndhurst debated again, president Peter Barnes said.

“I got the impression that not all of the issues were fully debated last time. Various councillors were polarised in their view before they went into the chamber,” Mr Barnes said.

He said the chamber was looking at developing a land-use policy for the region.

Hastings MP Rick Barker said he could understand both sides of the urban growth argument. He will not make his view known until closer to the debate.