Newspaper Article 1994 – Engineering work could cost $36.8m

Engineering work could cost $36.8m

The engineering cost of developing areas in the Hastings district recommended for houses is at least $36.8-million, it was revealed today.

Consultant Beca Carter Hollings and Ferner had told the Hastings District Council in a 14-report document that a substantial amount of engineering work would be required during the next 25 years to cater for an expected rise in housing demand.

The consultancy estimates that another 3000 houses will be needed by the year 2016. About 15 per cent of these are expected to be built on existing house sites that could be subdivided.

Eight areas have been recommended for development. They are Lyndhurst Rd, Irongate Rd and York Rd, Brookvale Rd and Te Mata Rd, Havelock hills, Clive, Te Awanga, Parkhill and Maraekakaho.

Four other areas have been identified as having potential for housing. The engineering cost would be no less than $9.3-million. The areas are Kaiapo Rd, Lumsden Rd, Portsmouth Rd and Reka St.

Debate on proposals

The council will debate Beca’s proposals at a meeting on March 10.

It was not clear at this stage how much of the engineering bill the council would pay. Developers were likely to be asked to meet much of it.

The type of work required includes upgrading and connecting sewers, a new reservoir and water bores, drainage improvements and roading upgrades. Power and telephone connections are also listed.

One of the main costs and areas of work identified by Beca is in roading between Brookvale Rd and Hastings.

12,000 vehicles a day

“Havelock Rd carries in excess of 12,000 vehicles a day, which is near capacity limits. Full development in Brookvale would increase Havelock North’s population by approximately 20 per cent,” the consultancy said.

“Clearly without substantial upgrading Havelock Rd could not cope with an equivalent increase in traffic volumes and the northern bypass could be warranted part way through the development process to cater for increased traffic volume.

“Preliminary cost estimates for first stage construction of a link to St Georges Rd are in the order of $1.2-million. It is estimated that the total roading works for this area will cost in excess of $2.5-million.”

The council’s corporate services manager, Bruce Fowler, said the engineering costs would not necessarily result in a rates rise because there would be more houses, giving an increased rates take to pay for any work.

An insight on the issues and costs surrounding the urban development issue will feature in the Herald-Tribune tomorrow.