Government required plan change to come into effect on August 30

Mandatory medium-density residential housing will be a reality in the Waipā District from the end of this month.

That will allow two houses up to three storeys high per site built in Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Kihikihi, without a resource consent or notifying neighbours.

Plan Change 26 relates to the Government’s requirement for Waipā, as a tier one growth council, to allow medium-density residential areas. It was notified in August 2022 and more than 100 submissions were received. Hearings were held through 2023, with the majority expressing concern about the requirements.

The council had sought an extension to the time it had to consider the panel’s recommendations to February next year but that was declined, and Ministerial direction given for notification of a decision to be made by the end of August.

This week Waipā District Council considered the recommendations from the independent hearing panel and approved all but four, which will now be referred to the Minister for the final say.

The four rejected recommendations focus on the extent of the Infrastructure Capacity Overlay in Cambridge, site coverage within a new stormwater overlay, the removal of controls for relocated buildings, and financial contributions associated with new houses.

Mayor Susan O’Regan said the district did not want the plan change and it had been foisted on the council causing strong concern about what it might mean for the look and feel of the towns.

However, given it was out of the council’s control, there needed to be a focus on the positive.

“I don’t like the crudeness of this requirement, but we can’t lose sight of the intention, and that is to increase housing supply. This will likely affect prices so more people in our district can afford to own their own homes, including our children and grandchildren.”

The rejected components will not become operative until they have been considered by the Minister and a determination is given.

The accepted components of Plan Change 26 will become operative once it is notified on Friday, August 30.

You can find out more at waipadc.govt.nz/planchange26