| 49 DEVELOPMENT Kersey Park T T Bernadette Cooney Big sections popular in Darfield Larger section sizes are proving an attraction at the Kersey Park development near Darfield. A combination of larger section sizes, the continuous growth of Selwyn District and a new reticulated sewerage network for Darfield is credited for swift sales within a new housing development for the township, Kersey Park – with 15 of the 20 third stage sections available, sold over the past six months. Located off SH 73 and only 40 mins west of Christchurch – the subdivision has been developed by local business owner Murray Boyes and his business partner Rupert Wright. The subdivision features a central park of native trees and grasses and provides views of the Torlesse Ranges within the Southern Alps, says sales agent Gareth Cox of Property Brokers Ltd. “It’s been selling well, and I’d put that down to the larger section sizes on offer, the ongoing growth throughout Selwyn and the installation of the new reticulated wastewater network to the subdivision boundary, “ Gareth says. “Reticulated wastewater to the boundary is certainly a big step forward for a district experiencing such growth.” Following community consultation in 2019/20, Selwyn District Council agreed to develop a reticulated wastewater scheme in both Darfield and Kirwee. Darfield was one of the largest communities in New Zealand without its own reticulated wastewater network. The new network connects with the Pines Wastewater Treatment plant in Rolleston and has been made available to new housing developments and central Darfield connections since last year. The wastewater network will be extended to existing properties in Darfield and Kirwee from 2024/25 and beyond, eliminating residents’ sole reliance on septic tanks. The total cost of the capital works required to reticulate the two townships, including construction of the pipeline to the Pines treatment plant and share of the cost of the treatment plant is $38 million. Funding has been achieved through a government stimulus grant of $10 million and a $28 million loan to council, which will be repaid through property developer contributions and annual rates increases. It’s welcome news for residents and indicative of continued growth throughout Selwyn which is continuing to attract interest from within and outside of the district. “It’s a busy rural town,” says Gareth. “We have some first and second home buyers for our stage three sections and also a lot of interest from people relocating to Canterbury from Otago and the North Island.” The large section sizes from 1000 to 2957 sq metres, also proved popular with a slightly older demographic from within Rolleston and Lincoln who had witnessed the growth explosion over the last 20 years and were now seeking a quieter, slower pace of life again further out. Kersey Park’s larger section size offered an excellent return on investment for new homeowners, says Gareth with the median section price around $300,000. Kersey Park Stage 1 and 2 sections are all sold and land titles for Stage 3 sections are available now. “Further stages out to the west of Kersey Park will become available in time and there’ll eventually be greater connectivity (pathways) to Darfield township and a designated commercial zone for some retail,” says Gareth. “Reticulated wastewater to the boundary is certainly a big step forward for a district experiencing such growth.”
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