24 February 2020
Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post, BOP Times, NZHerald)
Topic: Sale of Baxendale sections
Enquiry
The last 30 sections as part of the Baxendale subdivision that has been built over the last 40 years will go under the hammer tomorrow night.
May I please have some comment from the Mayor regarding the subdivision - how it has helped lift the profile of Rotorua etc
Information from news release provided by reporter following request for more details:
The real-time growth in the value of sections in suburban Rotorua is expected to be made public on a grand scale - when the final remaining blocks of bare land in a long-term residential enclave go under the auctioneer's hammer later this month.
The 30 sections within the last tranche of the large-scale Baxendale locale represent the final portion of residential sites which have been gradually sold off over in the area the past four decades.
The last remaining block of sections up for auction range in size from 766 square metres to 1,504 square metres - some having elevated views. The lots will have access off either Baxendale Drive or Great West Road, and are being marketed for sale at auction in Rotorua on February 25 through Bayleys Rotorua.
Civil earthworks creating the roading and utilities extensions to both Baxendale Drive and Great West Road have begun already in advance of the sell-down, taking advantage of the dry summer conditions. Power, water, telco', sewerage and gas connections are in the process of being installed.
The land - owned and operated as a dairy farm for generations by the Hunt family - was previously one of Rotorua's biggest dairy farms on what was once the outskirts of the city.
The first subdivision of the Hunt farm empire in the 1970s saw homes built in Buchanan Place, then in the 1990s along Cobbe Place in what was named Matipo Heights, which was duly followed by the creation of the second portion, known as Matipo Close. In the early 2000's Baxendale was developed.
Then in May 2017, Baxendale Developments sold down 24 sections adjacent to the current offering in 90 minutes of fast and furious auction bidding. Those sale prices two-and-a-half-years ago ranged from $210,000 to $300,000 - for a total value on the night of $6.186 million. Some 200 people attended the auction - with buyers limited to a maximum of two sites each to avoid land-banking by developers and spec' builders.
Real Estate Institute of New Zealand data show that in March 2017, in the lead up to the last Baxendale land sell-down, the median residential sale price for properties in Rotorua district was $335,000.
By comparison, the latest Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) data shows Rotorua's median house price is now $520,000 - up from the last record of $485,000 in October 2019 and $365,000 recorded in January 2018.
Response
From Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:
We have a critical housing shortage in Rotorua and we need all types of homes. Opening up of sections like those at Baxendale will, once homes are built, free up others down the chain, so these types of developments are welcome and play a role in ensuring we have enough homes across the housing spectrum.
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Media: Rotorua Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: CBD gardens and beautification
Enquiry
Reporter sought comparison and breakdown of spending on horticultural services in the CBD across the past several years.
NOTE: This relates to original enquiry and response regarding horticultural and beautification work in the CBD which you will find HERE on Council's website
Response
From Rob Pitkethley, Sport Recreation and Environment Manager:
Due to a change in software and a change to Council's contract with its horticultural services provider Infracore, we are unable to provide a comparison that accurately reflects horticultural services spending specifically in the CBD against previous years. In previous years, horticultural services have been contracted on a district wide basis meaning that all services such as mowing, sports field maintenance, residential tree care etc. were invoiced together. In the current financial year, breakdowns of services by locations have enabled Council to extract more detailed financial data.
