Waikato district population tipped to explode

Waikato District Council's population base is expected to double over the next 50 years to about 88,000 in 36,500 homes.

That's prompted the Ngaruawahia-based council to this week release a draft district growth strategy, exploring the key issues and opportunities, and how to manage such growth.

In the most significant rise, Te Kauwhata is tipped to mushroom from 1194 residents to 7285. Ngaruawahia will go from 5106 to 14,386, Horotiu will more than quadruple to 3663 and Gordonton will more than triple to 3109.

In rural areas, Matangi will go from 1794 to 3174, Kainui will more than double to 5079, and Te Uku will increase by more than 900 to 2583.

Around the 3450sq km district only Whitikahu tipped to increase by just 300 people up until 2061 will escape major growth.

The council's draft strategy in dealing with this growth will now be the subject of public consultation until November 13, with hearings on public submissions scheduled for November 24-26.

The strategy notes the Waikato district is at the centre of the "economic triangle" formed by Auckland, Tauranga and Hamilton.

Under its strategy the council is seeking to accommodate about 80 per cent of the growth around existing towns, by maximising their infrastructure.

It will also seek to "capture" economic investment through industrial growth at Horotiu, Hampton Downs and Huntly, while at the same time seeking to protect rural land by tightening rules around country living.

Hampton Downs is seen as being a very strategic industrial location, having potential for a rail freight hub.

The district will look to build on nearby Te Kauwhata's "village atmosphere" with large scale and potentially controversial residential development planned.

Huntly is seen as having great tourism potential, centred on its lakes, with long term growth predicted to follow completion of the Huntly bypass.

Meremere will also be the subject of growth pressures due to a major increase in employment opportunities in Pokeno and Hampton Downs.

In Raglan the focus will be on developing employment opportunities to reduce vehicle trips, with the zoning of light industrial land, and intensified retail services and residential activity around the town centre.

- © Fairfax NZ News