In total the site is approximately 33.5 hectares

Unfortunately, it no longer became commercially viable to keep the racecourse going. The final race was in 2012, a sad day for the Paeroa Racing Club after a 137 year history. After the last race, the racecourse was returned to its then owner, The Barbara Anderson Trust.

The property is owned by WFT Finance & Investment Company Ltd. The sole shareholder of WFT Finance & Investment is the Wright Family of Tauranga.

The Wright Family is renowned for making investments that make a positive difference to New Zealand communities. They are also the family behind the Wright Family Foundation. The Foundation is nationally recognised largely due to the efforts and focus that foundation trustee Chloe Wright has placed on the wellbeing of mothers and children.

Working under the Wright Family Foundation, the Wright Family are behind New Zealand’s largest privately owned Early Learning Childcare organisation, Best Start. In January 2015, Best Start was transferred to the ownership of the Wright Family Foundation, a charitable organisation committed to reinvesting in the future of New Zealand citizens where the need is greatest.

The Foundation’s vision to support New Zealand families from the very beginning ensuring the greatest impact on communities, has seen them open four birthing centres around New Zealand. Bethlehem Birthing Centre in Tauranga opened in 2014, Te Papaioea Birthing Centre in Palmerston North in 2017, Te Awakairangi Birthing Centre in Lower Hutt in 2018 and in Ngā Hau Mangere Birthing Centre in 2019.

WFT Finance & Investment Company Ltd have engaged local Paeroa property developer, Tim Bartells as the local representative during the planning stage of the development. Tim is the developer and a co-owner of Paeroa’s Longridge Country Estate.

WFT Finance & Investment Company have engaged Eastern Bridge Limited on a 12 month contract to deliver the approved work programme including community liaison.

At this stage there are no confirmed plans for the site other than opening the space up to various community activities – for example the commencement of a fortnightly twilight market at the site which began in November 2020.

WFT encourage appropriate events on the site to recreate the vibrant community feel of old. For example, Rotary V8s, accommodating camper vans during the Highland Tattoo, etc.

The long-term vision is to develop the property to create a vibrant commercial and residential hub that complements the antique stores and other businesses in the main street area. Job creation is a priority and any new development will help sustain long-term employment in the region.

The site is currently zoned Reserve (Active) in the Hauraki District Plan. The developers propose to apply for a Private Plan Change to have the property re-zoned in the District Plan.

At this point we simply don’t know how many houses may be built should the plan change be approved.

It is the intention of the new owners that should they be successful, any new housing will be built to a high standard, designed in a range of sizes and pricing opportunities to accommodate families and individuals.

Before any consenting requirements are able to be confirmed, the developer needs to complete a Private Plan Change to the Hauraki District Plan. Subsequent to that public process, resource consents from both the Hauraki District Council and Waikato Regional Council are likely to be required. It is still too early in the process to determine exactly what consents will be necessary.

The developer will need to lodge an application to the Hauraki District Council for a Private Plan Change, seeking a different zoning for the site in the District Plan. In addition, they’ll need to lodge an application for a change from the existing Reserve (Active) zone, which prohibits development.

This is a public process. The Hauraki District Council will seek submissions from anyone who is interested, followed by an opportunity to speak to those submissions to a decision-making committee in a public hearing.

If that plan change is successful, the developer will then proceed with resource consents for the site to both the Waikato Regional Council and Hauraki District Council.

Anyone can make a submission on the Private Plan Change application once Council notifies it. This will likely occur towards to middle of 2021. Submissions are then considered by the council in their deliberations on whether or not to grant the plan change.

No. Discussions have not been had with retailers. It’s important to the development team that this is a community-driven project. Iwi, business and council leaders and the Paeroa community still need to be spoken with.

Plan change application will most likely be lodged in May/June 2021.

This will not be a quick project. It is important to get it right for the future of Paeroa and the Hauraki district. We will continue to update the community as we work through the process.

The Hauraki District continues to outstrip growth predictions, putting pressure on the district’s tight housing market. Supporting population growth with amenities and housing opportunities is a priority for the area.

Paeroa is ideally located. Being a direct access route within the ‘Golden Triangle’, it is an easy drive to Hamilton, Tauranga and Auckland. All parties see the development as providing exciting economic benefits to the region, creating jobs and long-lasting prosperity.

The racecourse is an iconic part of the region and all parties are excited to be continuing that legacy through any new development.

As much as possible the iconic spaces, such as the trees and other areas will be retained in their current state for the community to enjoy (noting some arbour work may be done for safety reasons). The spaces will continue to be enjoyed by the community.

As the process continues, the developers will provide regular updates to the people of Paeroa.