Waitomo District Councillors have ruled in favour of subdividing a section of land on Eketone Street in Te Kūiti, to sell as three residential lots.

The decision was made in a Council meeting last week, after Council sought feedback from the community regarding the potential sale of a section of Council-owned land in Te Kūiti to enable more housing development.

In March, Council engaged with the community on three options: doing nothing - leaving the land as is; subdividing three sections along the front of Eketone Street leaving adequate area for an accessway to the rear of the property; or enabling the whole site to be developed for residential purposes.

Mayor John Robertson says Council reviewed feedback and made this decision after considering the needs of the community, the outcomes of the housing assessment and the necessity of allowing for growth in the community.

“Te Kūiti needs to arrest years of decline and secure growth to support our school roles, support retail, and to support employers fill vacancies.

“Housing is part of the puzzle that population growth needs.  Land suitable for housing needs to be released to assist us towards this goal.”

John says the concern that Council is selling part of the neighbouring reserve, Brook Park is untrue.

“The property was purchased by Council from the Crown (Lands and Survey Department) in 1982 and it has previously been subdivided to allow for the creation of road to provide access to the subdivision that is now known as Robin Azariah Place.

“The section is located in a Residential Zone and is not part of the Brook Park Reserve.”

An indicative plan for Option 2 is set out below.