The recent decision by commissioners to approve Perry Group’s Private Plan Change application changing the previous industrial zoning to residential on their 50ha Horotiu site has given the transformational Te Awa Lakes project the green light. This is the start of a billion-dollar master planned mixed-use development which will deliver a residential development containing at least 10% affordable housing as well as a village centre with a commercial hub, cafes, restaurants, hotels and outdoor recreational activities.
“It has been a long and at times painstaking three year journey to get to this point starting with a Private Plan Change, then a Special Housing Area application initially approved by Hamilton City Council but declined by central government, before finally reverting back to the Private Plan Change process” said Perry Group Chief Executive Richard Coventry.
Perry Group are committed to seeing this development come to fruition as it will deliver significant and positive community, social and commercial benefits for the region as well as transforming the gateway into Hamilton city.
Simon Perry, Chair of the Perry Group, reiterated his vision for the Te Awa Lakes development to bring people together through providing places of recreation and relaxation to promote a healthy lifestyle. “We love the Waikato, and we want Te Awa Lakes to celebrate the Waikato River and rejuvenate it both environmentally and recreationally.”
The Te Awa Lakes integrated community development is seen as the anchor to developing further recreational activities along the Waikato River and north. Te Awa Lakes is viewed as an important first step of the Hamilton to Auckland (H2A) corridor strategy endorsed by the government and the key to unlocking the potential of the Waikato region.
The 2019 Waikato Regional Housing Initiative showed that the region needs 51,000 more houses in the next 25 years and that there is already a shortfall of 7,500, with 4,500 of those in Hamilton alone. “Affordable housing is an important factor in this high-density master-planned development” said Mr Coventry, “and with more than 1000 homes planned in this first stage, Te Awa Lakes will help deliver much needed housing in the Waikato.”
Throughout the development planning for Te Awa Lakes, Perrys have been in discussions with key stakeholders including Fonterra who are neighbours to the development, to work through perceived reserve sensitivity issues and collaborate on future proposed projects. “Fonterra contribute a great deal to this region and working with them is an important ongoing factor in the Te Awa Lakes development” said Mr Perry. “We continue to welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Fonterra regarding genuine opportunities in the commercial and food tourism space and improve this gateway to Hamilton.
The project has continued to receive a positive response from the wider community, neighbours and local businesses who are keen to be involved and see this transformational development come to life. “Our very clear vision is to create a mixed-use, integrated community with a new way of living for the region,” said Richard Coventry. “We believe that Te Awa Lakes will provide better economic benefits and opportunities for the region and we are committed to doing more for our river, our iwi and our communities.”
Perry Group expects to be commencing earthworks in the next earthworks season.