Keen interest in subdivision

Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan and Clutha District Council administrative assistant Hayley Whale,...
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan and Clutha District Council administrative assistant Hayley Whale, with one of the 21 pegs marking sections taken at the council's new subdivision in north Balclutha. Photo by Samuel White.

The Clutha mayor says people queuing up for a series of open days at a new subdivision in north Balclutha is a positive sign for the district.

Buyers had the opportunity to register a "first right to purchase'' on one of 58 sections available at a 27ha site in north Balclutha at two open days at the weekend.

A third open day is being held today.

Council chief executive Steve Hill said the council was very pleased with the level of interest in the residential lots. People were queueing almost an hour before the start of the first open day on Saturday.

"There was a bit of hot competition for [the sections].''

Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said the success of the open days justified the council's decision to develop the land.

"It was a leap of faith for us and we're really thankful to the district for also believing in it.''

The reaction from the public was the most positive thing Mr Cadogan had seen in the district.

The public had indicated this sort of development needed to happen, he said.

Twenty-one sections already had pegs next to them indicating someone had registered interest.

"That's a phenomenal advancement for the district,'' Mr Cadogan said.

In the past the council had difficulty selling sections but the environment had changed and the district was now struggling for accommodation, he said.

"This [the land available] will only go a tiny way to address that but at least it is a step in the right direction.''

Mr Cadogan said sections were being opened right across the district, including 12 in Tapanui and others in Kaitangata.

The council also supported a house and land package set up by Kaitangata Promotions, by increasing the fee reimbursement cap for those building on land in Kaitangata.

The next step was to address similar issues in Milton which had the same needs as Balclutha, Mr Cadogan said.

The council's support for projects such as the residential site being opened up and the housing package in Kaitangata worked in conjunction with an industrial site being developed at the southern end of Balclutha.

The subdivision, bordered by Johnston Rd and McNeill St, has been divided into 64 sections ranging in size from a 433sq m house section to a 3.33ha lifestyle block.

The six larger lifestyle blocks were not included among those for which buyers could register a "first right to purchase''.

samuel.white@odt.co.nz

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