Westland District Council is pleased to announce significant progress on the Hokitika Racecourse redevelopment, marking a major step towards delivering much-needed housing and community benefits for the district.
Council secured Crown funding of $3.5m to deliver essential infrastructure, ensuring the site was ready for development.
The Westland Racing Club played a key role in making this development possible, gifting the Hokitika Racecourse to Council for $100 in 2020, along with a generous $250,000 contribution to support the demolition and maintenance costs.
Following community engagement from late 2023, Council initiated a Request for Interest (RFI) process for the development, followed by a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued to a group of pre-qualified land developers via the Government Electronic Tender Service (GETS). After a robust assessment, Council approved negotiations for a staged land purchase and housing delivery approach.
Key Outcomes of the Land Sale
- Superlots 1, 2, and 3 have been sold for $7 million plus GST, with the developer holding the option to confirm the purchase of Superlots 2 and 3 within a specified timeframe
- The development will provide a minimum of 110 residential sections, addressing housing needs in the district.
- A staged payment approach ensures Council recovers $695,000 in costs incurred outside the Crown funding agreement.
Once Council costs are fully recovered through section sales, surplus funds will be reinvested into recreational amenities onsite and across the district, delivering long-term benefits for the community.
Council remains committed to ongoing engagement with residents as the project progresses, with further community meetings and updates planned for the next phase.
A copy of the Hokitika Racecourse Development Plan is available for public viewing in the Council foyer and on the Council website.
ENDS
Media enquiries to:
Mayor and Councillors, WDC
Mayor.lash@westlanddc.govt.nz
0800474834