Newspaper Article 1994 – Land vital for growth, says mayor

Lyndhurst subdivision

Land vital for growth, says mayor

By Mike Tod
Staff reporter, Hastings

Hastings faces a lost economic opportunity equivalent to the closure of the Whakatu freezing works unless nearby land is rezoned for houses, major Jeremy Dwyer said today.

Mr Dwyer said many of the businesses in the city were struggling to survive. A kick-start was needed to revitalise the main shopping strip.

The only way this would happen was to build more houses in a central place, such as Lyndhurst.

Mr Dwyer hoped that during the next couple of months leading up to a likely debate again on subdividing the Lyndhurst area that councillors would take a good look at how the city was being stifled.

Boost overdue

“I don’t dispute that valuable land must be protected. However, the city has the same right, too. Its turn for a boost is long overdue.

“Unless we have a vibrant shopping centre we cannot expect to compete with Napier and other suburbs. A compromise has to be struck. If we don’t find it soon, we will all lose. Hastings should not be allowed to become lost opportunity.”

Mr Dwyer said there were signals that some councillors who had voted against the Lyndhurst subdivision plan were having second thoughts.

When the issue was debated in March, the vote was lost 8 – 7. A change of heart next time by one councillor will see the proponents win.

Mr Dwyer said a lot of concern had been expressed about the decision. It had not only come from those who could be perceived to have vested interests.

Mr Dwyer said he could even consider seeking a referendum if his bid to get the Lyndhurst decision overturned failed.

“It is about time people really started to think about the land use issue. We have to think about the future for the generations that will follow us.”

Mr Dwyer said there would be some big problems in developing the Irongate Rd – York Rd area. The motorway was planned to go through it. That would not make the area the attractive middle-income housing subdivision the council hoped for.

Mr Dwyer said there would also be problems with expanding Havelock North. The schools in the area already had full rolls and it was unlikely the Ministry of Education would spend the tens of millions of dollars necessary for more.

A result would be a lot of children having to bike to Hastings each day. This would create another traffic safety hazard.

Mr Dwyer said development at Lyndhurst would provide more children for the three high schools – Hastings Boys, Hastings Girls and Karamu – threatened with closure because of falling rolls.

Hastings ward councillor Terry Coxon said the city was getting a name for going nowhere.

“Research shows people want to buy close to Hastings. We have spent a lot of money to improve the centre of town and no growth is being allowed to take place. It’s really head-in-the-sand stuff. It is all fine and dandy saying we need a regional policy, but Napier isn’t interested,” Cr Coxon said.

“We have to sent [send] out signals. What we are asking for is to allow some land to come in as part of a longer term strategy. I don’t think there is any doubt there will be an impact if this doesn’t go ahead.”

The Lyndhurst land was fragmented and poorly utilised, Cr Coxon said.

Photo caption – Mr Dwyer