Open days for Ruakura Structure Plan
Ruakura residents and landowners are being invited to three open days next week to learn more about and comment on what Hamilton City Council is considering for the area.
The Council is holding the open days as part of the feedback process for the city’s Draft District Plan.
The District Plan is essentially the rulebook for development in Hamilton and sets out where different kinds of activities, such as residential, commercial and recreational, can occur.
Next week’s open days follow two earlier workshops in December to introduce what is known as the Ruakura Structure Plan – a plan that will guide development over a long timeframe.
About 800ha of land is involved, with large amounts owned by Tainui Group Holdings and Chedworth Properties. Both companies are working closely with the Council on developing the plan. The land is currently a mix of rural and rural residential land, and includes AgResearch and Waikato Innovation Park.
The area is significant because of its scale, strategic links to existing and proposed road and rail infrastructure and has great potential as an area of significant new employment
A range of land uses are proposed for the area including:
- Inland port with freight handling and distribution
- A new innovation and research precinct
- New residential neighbourhoods
- Small-scale retail to support new employees and residents
- Open spaces, parks and cycleways
Development at Ruakura is set to take place over the next 40-50 years with the first stage being the inland port and freight handling area. This is expected to commence within the next five-10 years.
District Plan Review Steering Group Chair Cr Pippa Mahood said: “Ruakura is a vital area for development not only for Hamilton, but for the region. It will create jobs and build on what is already a substantial existing employment base.
“We look forward to sharing our plans and encourage anyone within an interest in Ruakura to come along to our open days and tell us what you think.”
Councillors and staff will be at the open days to answer queries and listen to feedback.
Feedback on this stage of the Draft District Plan must be received by June 1, 2012 for consideration ahead of the Plan being released for formal submissions in late October.
OPEN DAYS
- Monday, May 14, The Don Llewellyn Pavilion, Gate 3B, Waikato University, Silverdale Rd, 2pm-7pm.
- Tuesday, May 15, Newstead School, Morrinsville Rd, 3pm-7pm.
- Wednesday, May 16, Life and Light Community Centre, Tramway Rd, 2pm-7pm.