Two substantial blocks of greenfield residential development land in a flourishing coastal town have been placed on the market for sale – meeting the local authority’s commitment to supporting private enterprise to build new homes in the region to sustain an ever-increasing population.

The 21.694-hectare blocks sit adjacent to the existing urban boundary of Whitianga on the North Island’s Coromandel Peninsula. Located just three streets back from the golden sands of Buffalo Beach on the northern portion of Whitianga, the blocks for sale are immediately adjacent to an already well-established residential neighbourhood of family homes.

Thames Coromandel District Council’s 2021-2031 Long Term Plan recognises that some towns within its jurisdiction, including Whitianga, are “currently experiencing growth pressures” to support population growth.

“In terms of population growth to 2029, Mercury Bay ward (which includes Whitianga) is projected to experience the greatest growth in population,” the council report notes. 

“The council recognises that growth and development are ongoing in the district and will continue over the period of the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan. The council is keen to encourage new growth and development by addressing any infrastructure and zoning barriers that currently exist.”

The two lots at 20 Wells Place are being marketed for sale by tender through Bayleys Whitianga and can be purchased individually or together. Salesperson Josh Smith said it was rare to see residential development sites of this scale and opportunity brought onto the market for sale – with the blocks having been retained by the current owners for several family generations.

Smith said the pair of greenfield residential development lots within Wells Place location amply met the council’s population growth support criteria. The two lots are being marketed for sale as one combined offering to reflect the location’s enormous potential. Tenders can be for each lot separately or both together.

“The rectangular shaped blocks at Wells Place are a simple expansion to Whitianga’s existing urban boundary as has been seen across New Zealand over the past couple of decades as the country’s population continues to grow in many provinces and towns,” he said.

“Moving further down the subdivision process, with appropriate consents, developers could configure section sizes into a variety of plot sizes to cater to multiple buyer brackets – with the northern boundary overlooking a peaceful stream and mature bush for a parklike vista,” he said.

Depending on the configuration of any subdivision plans, new homes within the greenfield land enclave could have multiple vehicle access roads built off Whitianga Bypass, Marlin Street, Cook Drive, or Wells Place, subject to council approval. The location comprises one land title of 17.45 hectares, and a second title of 4.244 hectares.

“Scaled residential expansion of Whitianga is already underway in other parts of the urban boundary where former farmland has been rezoned for new residential enclave – such as land along State Highway 25 – but certainly nothing of this stature or favourable topography so close to both the beach and town centre.”

Demographic data in Thames Coromandel District Council’s 2018-2028 Long Term Plan showcases Whitianga’s prominence in the region – spotlighting that Whitianga is one of two towns in the province to experience the biggest growth in the number of homes being built. The other township is Tairua.

“Mercury Bay (which includes Whitianga) is projected to experience the greatest growth in population,” the statistics-based council report noted.

“The number of houses is projected to increase across all parts of the district over the next 30 years - with an increase of around 3,580 new houses between 2018 and 2048. Much of the projected growth in the number of houses is expected to occur in the Peninsula’s popular holiday settlements – Tairua and Whitianga.”

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