| 23 T T Sue Russell Housing development transformational Tara-Ika, spanning 420ha of land near Levin, will eventually provide 3,500 plus new homes. Horowhenua District Council: Taraika Subdivision REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT One of the most significant and transformational urban development projects in the Horowheuna’s history is underway. Tara-Ika, spanning 420ha of land immediately east of Levin, will eventually provide 3,500+ new homes to support the District’s growing population. Site works are underway, with subdivision consent approved for the first 200 lots. Crown Infrastructure Partners funding from the previous Labour Government has supported the construction of key infrastructure. Horowhenua District Council (HDC) seized the funding opportunity, offered during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdowns, as a way of being able to accelerate the roll-out of infrastructure needed to support the development of new homes. “The funding enabled Council to extend lead infrastructure to the boundaries of TaraIka. Developers will be responsible for building their own infrastructure, such as roads and pipes, within Tara-Ika. It has been a long journey for us, requiring a District Plan Change to enable mixed density housing, parks and reserves, commercial activity and even a new primary school,” Monique Davidson, Council CEO, explains. Tara-Ika was first identified as a growth area in the Horowhenua Development Plan of 2008. At this time, the area was expected to be used for low-density housing (large sections). However, as population growth accelerated, housing costs increased, and people’s living preferences changed, HDC saw a need to do something different. Council worked with landowners in the area and Iwi partners to plan a development that is well connected to Levin and supported by urban infrastructure, amenities, and services. Along with leading the Plan Change and assessing and approving subdivision consents, Council’s role has been to oversee construction of 5,200m of waste-water pipe infrastructure and 1,360m of water-main renewal with a further 700m planned in coming months. Stormwater will be managed onsite through specially designed wetlands and basins which will clean storm water before it drains to groundwater. Individual dwellings will have rainwater tanks which will be used for flushing toilets and watering gardens. “This project will be inter-generational given its scale – it will eventually provide homes for 8,000-9,000 people. Tara-Ika will provide mixed density housing (from multi-unit, to townhouses, to standard residential), improving the variety of living choices available within the District. Council is invested in enabling communities and neighbourhoods to flourish. Tara-Ika will have roads, cycleways, parks and reserves developed in such a way that both that live there, along with people who live elsewhere in the District, will experience the benefits of a well laid out people-centric environment.” Monique adds “there is also a large industrial growth area within easy walking/cycling distance from Tara-Ika, offering employment opportunities for residents.” A neighbourhood scale commercial centre is also planned for the area. In time, this is expected to attract a small supermarket, cafes and the like, which will add value to those living close-by. The Ōtaki to North of Levin Expressway (Ō2NL), the final part of the Wellington Northern Corridor, passes through Tara-Ika and is being built by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. This has required careful planning and collaboration between HDC and the Transport Agency. Ō2NL will likely contribute to the demand for housing in Tara-Ika, by making Wellington a sub-1 hour commute from Levin. Monique says Tara-Ika is just one part of a much larger vision for the District. She says Levin and surrounding areas are ideally positioned between Palmerston North in the north and Kāpiti and Wellington in the south. “Having grown up here, I really believe in this district. I think what makes it special is that it is always about community and people. How we hold on to those values, while our District grows and changes into something bigger.” Looking beyond Tara-Ika, Horowhenua has some incredibly motiviated developers, including the Wayne Bishop Group, one of the top-10 busiest residential builders in the country. “We have lots of exciting smaller developments too, from residential to industrial and lots of opportunities.” A further focus for Council is to reclaim its town centre and bring new life into it, ahead of the Ōtaki to North Levin expressway, which will see Levin’s town centre bypassed, being completed. While Ō2NL offers significant opportunities for the town centre by getting heavy vehicle out of the town centre, it is important it is a vibrant and attractive place that passing cars want stop at. “We’re currently seeking expressions of interest for the Levin War Memorial Hall development, the Village Green and skate-park areas, which will bring new life into the town centre. There are real mixed-use opportunities here.” Proudly working in Horowhenua District & with Horowhenua District Council for over 50 years GOOD People, GOOD Job, GOOD Culture
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