$2m plan to revamp infamous suburb

PAUL EASTON

Housing New Zealand is asking Hutt City Council to come up with $2 million towards a revamp of Farmer Cres in Pomare.

The cash would go towards better street lighting and road layout in the troubled street, which is set for a major makeover.

Twenty-seven Housing New Zealand homes will be demolished in coming months as part of plans to redevelop the area. Demolition will begin within the next month.

In a submission to the city council's annual plan, Housing New Zealand chief executive Lesley McTurk said the Farmer Cres redevelopment was a priority.

"The corporation notes there will be constraints around the ability of both parties to commit resources, but looks forward to working towards mutually agreeable outcomes."

Housing New Zealand has asked the council for between $1.5m and $2m over the next three years to improve street lighting and road layout, improving the safety of pedestrians.

The council will meet on Wednesday to consider the request.

Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace declined to comment before the meeting.

Housing New Zealand Hutt Valley regional manager Michelle Riwai said the redevelopment would contribute to the city council's aims for a safe community and healthy environment.

"Working together in this way ... will optimise the financial and social outcomes for both council and corporation."

Plans for the redevelopment were still being finalised. The total budget was not yet known, but the plans were costed at more than $5m in 2009.

Farmer Cres came to national attention in early 2009 when Mongrel Mob members were accused of terrorising a single mother into leaving her home. Housing NZ has battled in court since to try to evict three gang-linked women and their families from the street.

Rimutaka MP Chris Hipkins was concerned by a lack of detail about exactly what was going to replace the 27 homes in Farmer Cres.

"The Pomare community have waited long enough for action; it's time they saw some," he said.

Alien reluctant to leave her street

Joy Bloomfield jokingly calls herself the alien of Farmer Cres – because she's Australian.

The 73-year-old moved to Pomare 18 months ago after shifting to New Zealand in search of a cooler climate. Despite Farmer Cres's tough reputation, Mrs Bloomfield said she felt perfectly safe. "I love it here. I love the people, they're very accepting and open. This is our little place. We've never been burgled, never been harassed."

She has thrown herself into life in Pomare, helping out at the community centre. "I've adopted some of the girls."

Although Mrs Bloomfield's home is not among the 27 first in line for demolition, Housing New Zealand says more dwellings in the street may be demolished and her home may yet go as the plans progress.

Mrs Bloomfield was reluctant to leave the street that has quickly become her home. "I've probably moved home 35 times over the years, I really don't want to move again."

Plans to demolish and rebuild large areas of Farmer Cres were being met with both apprehension and acceptance by locals, she said. "I think the talk has been around for so long that people have kind of got used to it."

- © Fairfax NZ News