56 | The starting gate of a new era In addition to Paeroa Hills, the Wright’s are also developing the Longridge Country Estate retirement village a short distance away. Paeroa Hills T T Richard Loader DEVELOPMENT Twelve years after the last horse galloped across the finish line, Paeroa’s racecourse is at the starting gate of a multi-staged transformation that will embrace a vibrant commercial hub; residential housing; community, conference and hospitality facilities; while memorialising the land’s racing past. The aspirational development is the vision of Wayne and Chloe Wright whose drive to make a real difference within the Paeroa community is about leaving an enduring legacy of their involvement in the area. In addition to Paeroa Hills, the Wright’s are also developing the Longridge Country Estate retirement village a short distance away. Wayne says he and Chloe saw huge potential to reinvigorate Paeroa, through both the racecourse development and Longridge Country Estate. “The Hauraki District mayor recently said to me that Paeroa’s population of 6000 would increase by 35% as a result of the two developments. That’s a wonderful legacy in itself, and something that Chloe and I would be very proud of.” Encompassing 33 hectares, it is expected that Paeroa Hills will be developed over nine stages, some of which will be integrated, while others will follow sequentially. The development’s masterplan includes 240 residential sections, 1.3 hectares of commercial development, a motel, a community housing site for the disabled, two 18-unit apartment buildings, and 4 x 2 duplex townhouses. A magnificent chapel designed by Chloe will be used for weddings and funerals, a further legacy of a multi-talented lady. Walking and cycle trails, a destination playground, village green, men’s shed and extensive network of reserves & parks will all add to the development’s strong appeal. Wayne says the racecourse had been a strong focal point for the community, and the development would reflect both that historical standing as well as the evolving face of Paeroa. “The main Members Stand will be retained and refurbished, and that will become a centre point for the community. The old tote building will be reconstructed in modern materials to look like a tote building, but become an indoor/outdoor restaurant. Street lampposts will have horses on top, and many of the streets will be named after horses, trainers and owners.” Stage one of the project includes the construction of a roundabout in Thames Road to bring access into the development, and construction of the commercial village, which Wayne says is complementary to the commercial offering already in Paeroa’s main township. “Last week we commenced demolition of one of the two grandstands and that work will be completed in about a month. Stage one will also include the motel. Subsequent stages will include a ring road around the inside of the track, with sections and an apartment block in the middle.” Wayne says the residential packages will cater for a broad cross section of buyers from first homes, families, empty nester’s and retired people. “There will be a lot of retired farmers from the Paeroa area who want to stay within the area, but are not ready to go into the retirement village. Paeroa Hills will certainly be able to cater for that with section sizes ranging from 350 - 600 m2, and a range of medium density options.” Engineering Environmental Planning Through our creative, flexible and optimistic outlook, our trust in simplicity not complexity, and our hope in responsive understanding, we believe in doing better for all of us - our people, our places, and our planet. CREATING BETTER OUTCOMES FOR US ALL
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