Strategic land purchase for future city growth

Strategic land purchase for future city growth
Posted On: Wednesday, 30 July 2008
A significant piece of land earmarked for city growth has been purchased by Council. 17 hectares of farmland situated northeast of the city has been identified for potential future urban development and is the site of the proposed new Rototuna town centre.

The land, farmed for many years by the Kimpton family, is proposed to become the location for a new sports park, library and swimming pool complex.

The purchase also included 1.8 ha of land to complete the Borman Road extension.

City Planning manager Robert Hodges says that the land is a critical component of the proposed new Rototuna town centre which will become a strong focus for the local community by providing for some of the key elements required for a strong and thriving urban centre.

"Council is currently working on the preparation of a new Structure Plan for the Rototuna area which will include the details of how the new town centre will be developed. Securing this land is therefore a major step forward in making the town centre a reality."

Design for a proposed north Hamilton pool complex is underway with construction funding tagged in the LTCCP for 2010-12, while new library funding is forecast for 2012-15.

The land area designated for the community facilities is situated on North City Road, adjacent to Hamilton Christian School. The proposed Borman Road extension land is the designated extension between Horsham Downs Road and Moonlight Drive.

Brian Kimpton, chairman of Kirkdale Investments Ltd, the vendor company, says he is tremendously supportive of Council's CityScope urban design strategy and is pleased that discussions for the land's future use were guided by this blueprint for high quality intensification.

"I am most appreciative of the effort put in by Hamilton City Council in completing wide ranging and complex negotiations and grateful for an outcome which I believe will be of long term benefit to Rototuna and the wider community."

It is anticipated that the draft Structure Plan for the new Rototuna town centre will be available for public comment and submission around the middle of 2009.

The agreed purchase price for the land was within five percent of market valuation.