Reassurance over land offer

Property consultant Margot Berney addresses the Kaitangata community at a public meeting held...
Property consultant Margot Berney addresses the Kaitangata community at a public meeting held last night about the Kaitangata land and house package. Photo by Samuel White.

Only two sections remain of the first eight listed under the Kaitangata land and house package which went global last week.

Those behind the package, which has a starting price of $230,000, faced the community at a public meeting at the Presbyterian Worship Centre in Kaitangata last night to outline the boundaries and criteria which will now be required of buyers.

The reason was to address any concerns vendors or the public might have following the international attention the offer has received online and in mainstream media.

About 30 people showed up to hear from Kaitangata Promotions, Downie Stewart Lawyers, Hoamz Realty and Clutha District Mayor Bryan Cadogan.

Property consultant Margot Berney said she sold one of the sections yesterday which left only two to be sold by Friday next week.

Once they were sold, a further 10 sections would be listed under the package.

"We are going to keep on bringing them on to the market.''

Lawyer Alice Sanders assured the public there would be strict criteria for those who wished to purchase a section and build on the land.

Because the sections were sold separately from the houses, the introduced criteria was a way to protect vendors and ensure the right people were moving to the area for the right reasons.

The sole purpose of the housing package was to boost the local community and ward off those wanting to make a quick buck, or who saw it as an investment opportunity

"We get to see what ... they're going to bring to the community.''

It would be a risk for the vendors if someone was to purchase a section from overseas and then struggle to meet immigration criteria.

Ms Sanders said those who applied to purchase the sections would have to give a declaration of intent and outline their background or reasons for moving.

They also had to show they had backing from the bank and were financially able to afford the land.

The other two criteria for the package meant those purchasing would need to have a building contract confirmed or a transportable home approved by the council.

They would also need to have building completed on the section within 24 months of purchase.

A member of the public was concerned someone could purchase land and would then just rent their property out.

Ms Sanders said the declaration of intent was to help prevent that from happening but there was little the groups could do if that was the case.

Mrs Berney said those who expressed interest in sections would be told on Monday of the new criteria and would be given time to make an offer.

samuel.white@odt.co.nz

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