Facing the Challenge of residential Growth and Enabling Intensive Residential Development

The results of the Housing Accord between the Government and Tasman District Council have been published. Under the accord Council needed to ensure 130 sections new residential sections in the year ending 30 June 2016. Tasman saw the creation of 228 serviced and saleable lots.

Council committed to providing for capacity for 320 new houses to be built and are pleased the target has been exceeded with 394 consented.

Mayor Richard Kempthorne said, “There is every indication that there will be more development next year than in the previous year. This suggests that the current zoned land available will be developed more quickly than originally expected. It is my intention following the Local Body Election in October, to see the Council review its growth model to ensure we can meet the demands of continued growth. I would also like to work with developers to promote and encourage more intensive development to enable the maximum number of houses to be developed on existing residentially zoned land. We do need to consider some expansion of the urban footprint but also protect our high quality rural land with good horticultural capacity from inappropriate residential development.”

Dr Nick Smith said “The Tasman District is growing strongly and we need to ensure we are freeing up land supply to keep up with that growth. The Council has done well in meeting the initial targets set two years ago. The population is growing now more quickly than forecast. Following the local body elections, I would be keen to engage with the Council on renewing the Housing Accord and updating the targets.”

Mayor Richard Kempthorne Dr Nick Smith

© Scoop Media