The Lawrence-Tuapeka Community Board meets in the township this afternoon, and will discuss the possibility of taking steps to revoke reserve status for three local council-owned reserves.
A report to the board said the first step in that process would be to obtain land status reports for the reserves, on Solway, Peel and Harrington Sts. That would cost from $11,000 to $16,500, and provide an assessment of whether the Clutha District Council could proceed with reserve revocation, the report said.
When developed, collectively the three reserves could yield 30-40 sections.
The proposal is the latest step in a process begun in November last year, when the board decided it would investigate the possibility of developing a "Lawrence-Tuapeka house and land package", similar to a successful initiative in nearby Kaitangata.
The Kaitangata project has opened up affordable family housing in the town, gaining international attention for its community-driven model.
Yesterday, Lawrence-Tuapeka ward councillor Jock Martin said he believed there was enthusiasm for the project in Lawrence, which would continue to grow once people realised what was possible.
"We’re still at the investigative stage, in finding out what can be done, so we can go back to the community and let them decide.
"Feedback on the project to date has been a mix of very supportive, and some who don’t think we need further housing at present.
"We’d really like to hear from more people, so we can be sure the steps we end up taking are the right ones for the community as a whole."
Cr Martin said the reserves in question were "bare land" at present, and unused for any recreational or other purpose.
The Peel and Harrington St reserves had the additional advantage of already having neighbouring services, he said.
Providing services for the sloping Solway St reserve would also be a relatively simple matter, he believed.
"This is something the board is certainly behind. If the community decides it wants to move forward, the next step would be to design the [house and land] package, and put a structure in place to oversee the wider project."
