Tauranga is set to benefit from government funding to the tune of $148 million which will result in over 3,500 new homes in the Bay of Plenty city.
Two bids have been approved for a share of the government’s Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (IAF), with $68 million being allocated to new builds on the Te Papa Peninsula, and a further $80 million for homes in Tauriko West.
The announcement was made by Housing Minister Megan Woods as part of Labour’s $540 million plan to build pipes, roads and a cycle bridge to support the development of 16,600 new houses across the country.
Tauranga City Council commission chair Anne Tolley said the grants will help to address Tauranga’s significant housing deficit.
“This is a game changer for Tauranga,” said Tolley, “and will mean many more families will have access to affordable homes as the planned developments proceed.”
The Tauriko West grant will be part of a transport and water services infrastructure package with an estimated cost of close to $260 million, allowing the development of 2,000 new homes in the city’s western corridor.
Meanwhile, the Te Papa grant will be part of a $200 million infrastructure upgrading programme, including stage two of the Cameron Road project on one of the city’s main thoroughfares, and increased water supply capacity.
The works will support housing intensification along the peninsula and are expected to facilitate construction of an additional 1,600 homes, including duplexes, townhouses and apartments, between 2023 and 2033.
“A key element of the investment in both areas will be encouraging a shift away from the use of private vehicles to public transport, cycling, walking and other active transport modes,” Tolley said.
Housing development in Tauriko West is expected to commence from 2027.
Tolley added there is “still work to be done” to realise the vision for the western corridor, however she called confirmation of the funding “a major step forward”.
“This will enable a wide range of housing options to meet community needs,” she said.
Tolley said the funding package for the Te Papa infrastructure is anticipated to include Waka Kotahi road subsidy funding, development contributions, potential Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act Transport System Plan levies and rates funding.
Minister Woods said a total of 13 proposals have been allocated from this round of the IAF in 11 centres of the country; Hamilton, Auckland, Tauranga, Christchurch, Kawakawa, Kaikohe, Westport, Upper Hutt, Waipukurau, Hokitika and Pahiatua.
“The IAF funding will support intensification developments in Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga to enable connected, inner-city communities,” she said.
“To date, $916.3 million in IAF funding has been committed to infrastructure projects throughout the country.”
Credit: stuff.co.nz
