Media Release - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hokitika has been revealed by Housing Minister Megan Woods as the site of one of the critical infrastructure projects that will get Government support to unlock thousands more homes in communities around the country.
Plans by the Westland District Council to develop part of the Hokitika Racecourse for new housing will be accelerated by $3.5 million in Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (IAF) funding, which will enable homes to be built much sooner than would otherwise be possible.
The transport and three waters infrastructure funded by the IAF is expected to enable around 110 new homes, which is expected to include more affordable housing and public homes for older people.
"Securing funding from the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund is a positive step towards achieving Council’s aspirations of increasing the housing supply for our elderly people in Hokitika," says Westland District Mayor Helen Lash.
"Council recognises that we need to increase the portfolio with pensioner housing to meet the current and future demands. Our Long Term Plan identified the area of the old Hokitika Racecourse that is already zoned as residential to be developed with the infrastructure necessary to build housing. The funding from the IAF will greatly assist the Hokitika community in meeting housing demands for the area. Our focus for the project will be to ensure that the development honours the past of this special site, and will have strong linkages to the creation of the adjacent recreational reserve. We are very grateful that we are receiving this assistance from the government to provide for our community.”
ENDS
Media enquiries to:
Emma Rae, Strategy and Communications Advisor
Emma.rae@westlanddc.govt.nz