Hastings residents are being invited to have their say on housing, amenity open spaces, three waters infrastructure, and transport as part of Hastings District Council’s new Local Area Plan (LAP) programme.
Aligned with the draft Future Development Strategy and the Hastings Medium Density Housing Strategy, LAPs guide sustainable growth within the city.
With Hastings’ population projected to grow from 91,900 in 2023 to as many as 121,800 by 2053, strategic planning is essential to balance housing needs, infrastructure improvements, and the protection of fertile soils, the Council said in a statement.
“The Local Area Plans give everyone the opportunity to have their say on how we can create vibrant, sustainable neighbourhoods for generations to come,” said Mayor, Sandra Hazlehurst.
“We are asking our community to help shape a future that balances housing needs, protects our natural environment, and ensures our infrastructure can meet the demands of tomorrow.”
The LAP programme provides direction for where residential intensification can best be accommodated, followed by the preparation of neighbourhood-scale plans for specific areas.
The first of the plans focus on four key areas:
- North LAP: Residential intensification near Cornwall Park and the central city
- Hospital LAP: Medium-density housing near Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers
Memorial Hospital and Kaweka private hospital - West LAP: Mixed-use developments along Heretaunga Street West, blending
residential and commercial spaces - East LAP: Redevelopment of commercial and industrial zones into mixed-use
residential areas, covering the largest and most diverse area.
These locations were identified through the Medium Density Housing Strategy as ideal for
intensification due to their proximity to infrastructure and services, the Council said.
It says LAPs for other urban areas in Hastings district will follow after this stage of the programme is complete.
The consultation is open now and runs until December 20.
Visit https://lap.myvoicemychoice.co.nz/ to explore the plans and provide feedback.
