The Perry Group has created a first look at its plans for a mixed-use community on its Te Awa Lakes riverfront site in Horotiu.

An animation based on the project masterplan shows the site layout and plans, which the company says will bring more than $34 million in targeted additional tourism spend to the region as well as up to 1500 new homes.

“We know that Hamilton City is short 2,500 homes,” said Perry Group CEO Richard Coventry. “Our proposal goes a long way toward addressing that shortfall with up to 1,500 new homes that includes a large proportion of affordable homes.”

To enable Te Awa Lakes construction to begin, the site must be rezoned from industrial to residential. The Perry Group has applied to HCC for a Private Plan Change and Special Housing Area. A Mana Whenua group representing a number of Waikato tribes recently addressed a Council meeting in support of the project.

“They made it clear that this is the sort of project that helps realise the ambitions of whenua and tangata whenua to unlock economic and tourism opportunities for their people,” said Mr Coventry.  “This is reinforced by a recent Maori Economic Development plan completed for the Waikato region identifying tourism as an opportunity for local iwi.”

Perry Group is hoping the SHA proposal will be approved by HCC to proceed to central Government for a decision.

“It’s our belief that this river location deserves much more than increased industrial activity. We believe that Te Awa Lakes will provide better economic benefits and opportunities for the region versus keeping the land industrial under the status quo.  We are committed to doing more for our river, our iwi, and our communities,” said Perry Group CEO Richard Coventry.