Central Hawke’s Bay residents are being invited to the old Waipukurau Hospital site to share your views on a plan to develop the area.
Residents are being called on to help shape the future of the major residential development – the Waipukurau South Growth Precinct - which is set to transform the district over the next two decades..
There will be a hands-on open day at the former hospital site (83 Pōrangahau Road), where people can plant native seedlings, view the draft structure plan, and provide feedback on the project's direction. The free event, running Sunday 7 June from 2pm to 5pm, will have a barbecue and council staff on hand to talk to .
The Waipukurau South Growth Precinct represents a cornerstone of Central Hawke’s Bay’s long-term planning, with the potential to accommodate more than 900 homes across over 50 hectares of privately owned land. The development was supported by a $10.9 million investment from the Government’s Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (IAF), enabling critical upgrades to transport, water supply, wastewater, and stormwater systems.
The precinct, located one kilometre south of the town centre, will be developed in stages, guided by a Structure Plan. While the Structure Plan sets parameters for future growth, it does not force landowners to develop. TThis will sit alongside updated planning provisions in our District Plan, to enable the area to be developed over time, based on the capacity of infrastructure.
"The open day is about creating a thriving, well-planned space that serves our community for generations," said Central Hawke’s Bay Deputy Mayor Kelly Annand.
"We want residents to be part of the conversation by sharing ideas, or simply learning more about what’s ahead."
The open day marks the first major opportunity for public engagement since the IAF funding was secured. Further feedback can be submitted via the council’s Let’s TalkCHB platform https://letstalkchb.co.nz/