11 December 2023
Media: Aukaha News
Topic: Waikite Rugby Club housing plans
Enquiry
Looking for someone’s availabilty from Council to speak into this project this week sometime please.
Waikite Rugby Club and Council partnership to build new housing on playing field number 2 at Waikite Rugby club.
Patai:
What is Councils response to WRC vision to build new homes?
What role does Council play?
Why is this important to Council?
Is this a 1st for Council to partner with a Rugby Club to build homes?
Where to from here for Council to making this vision a reality?
Response
We clarified that council is not partnering/in a partnership with the rugby club to build houses, as he had stated in his enquiry and asked that he ensure his story did not give that impression as that would be incorrect.
We informed the reporter we did not have anyone to go on camera but provided the following information that he could use:
Information from RLC
The rugby club is looking at the potential to develop housing on its land.
If that goes ahead, council will look to establish a new public sports field nearby which the club could then also use (because as you’ve noted, they are looking to build on what is currently their number 2 field).
Council is also talking to the club in relation to stormwater solutions for that part of the city, taking into account the club’s vision for housing.
Re the club’s vision for housing on its land: Rotorua needs more housing of all types and any development that helps to address our current significant shortage would be welcomed.