More housing – and a potential new site for a skatepark – are on the cards for Kihikihi.
Council’s Finance and Corporate Committee today approved the first step in developing the four hectare Stockade Reserve in the centre of town.
The reserve bordered by Whitmore, Hall, Grey and Rolleston Streets has been identified as a potential site for new housing. Consideration will also be given to building a brand new skatepark on the site. Other potential sites for a skatepark, already investigated in Kihikihi, have so far proven unsuitable.
Council’s deputy chief executive Ken Morris said Stockade Reserve has historically been used by Riding for the Disabled. But a recently purchased Council-owned property in Kihikihi’s Herbert St would be made available for riding, freeing Stockade Reserve up for much needed housing and the promised skatepark.
“It’s early days so there’s a lot of work to do yet. But today’s decision to fund a masterplan for the site means we can now take the first step to see what can be achieved.
Morris confirmed there were no plans for high-density housing on the site which also accommodates existing Council water infrastructure. He said it was too early to say how many houses, and of what type, might be built. That would emerge when a masterplan from Waipā-based architects was complete. Community consultation would be a critical part of drafting a masterplan, he said.
“Council’s vision is for pleasant, medium density housing that would be designed alongside the community. We don’t want is something plonked in the middle of town that’s not supported.”
A masterplan was unlikely to be available before August this year.
