A new wave of transformation has hit a Papakura suburb thanks to a new scheme that is providing more cost effecting housing alternatives to those looking to get their foot in the housing market.
As the first of its kind in the area, the project is a co-operative between a local church and private sector developers that were able to create four residential homes in Tairere Crescent in the Rosehill suburb. Launched in October 2018, The four homes, nicknamed “the Fab Four” are all two bedroom, two bathroom GJ Gardener Homes with internal access garages, heat pumps and fully fenced back yards, with innovative water detention systems that capture rainwater and relieves flow pressure on the existing underground sewer system- a much needed asset to the homes due to Papakura’s notorious flooding areas.
The freehold homes have been built on land owned by the Presbyterian Church and built in complimentary colours and designs with a mix of brick and weatherboard exteriors and pressed metal tile roofing, the four homes have ten years builders warranty, are close to all amenities, including neighbourhood schools, public transport hubs, motorway onramps, shops and doctors and sited on sections of 348-359 square metres sharing a central driveway.
Project Spokesperson, Glen Archibald said the Fab Four houses is part of the bigger picture to change the face of the Rosehill suburb, just as the Government has been doing elsewhere in Papakura.
“With the region’s real estate market still very overheated the church has given us a rare chance to work together and offer people a chance to get into their own brand-new healthy homes at a reasonable price.” says Glen.
Originally established as a stud farm, Rosehill stands between the established residential area of Papakura and the business and residential growth zone of Drury, making this project and hopefully future ones, an ideal opportunity for many in Rosehill to live local and work local, in particular because of the planned industrial park proposed by the Stevenson Group.
The housing in the Tairere Project took just over a year to complete and met the social expectations of the Presbyterian Church and the intended direction of development for the area under the Auckland Council Unitary Plan. The project’s concept has been praised by Auckland Council Urban Planning staff for its efficient use of land and is paving the way for housing alternatives that are not Auckland Council driven or funded.
Veritas Communications Limited PR spokesperson, Mark Baker has been involved in the Tairere Project through Nicky Hayhow- an agent of Harveys Real Estate in Papakura (also involved in the Project) and says what they have seen with this project is something that was created out of necessity, but driven by community spirit, not just the involvement of the Presbyterian Church.
He says there is plenty of future potential for either old houses or other pieces of land in this area that can also be used to create more of these much needed housing developments.
“The land that these four houses were built on was just a paddock on the back of church hall, so it took a lot of will and a lot of people to come together to make that happen and that’s what inspired Nicky and I to say, there is something happening here!”
As a complete grass-roots level project, the securing of land and building affordable housing has been an instance where no push is needed from the Government or Kiwibuild and comes down to local communities rallying together with a genuine need to create potential on what could otherwise be unused land.
Mark says this project has already proved that this is the alternative that is getting people into homes that otherwise wouldn’t have access and is about communities helping each other out, but also this kind of scheme could potentially transform other areas like Mill Road and those who are “land banking” that area with it being arterial, and other areas that have potential like the Drury development as a lot of these things bring a wealth of prosperity to an area that has other been “pretty sleepy”.
“There are plenty plots of land that are sitting idle, especially on the edge of Papakura and this is not about sitting back and waiting for the Government or Kiwibuild to make things happen. It’s the people who are or could make more of these kinds of projects happen, like the church, or Papakura Marae, these kinds of groups who have or could pick up how this works and do more like this.”
As a result of this community driven project, the Fab Four houses have all sold through Harveys Real Estate, Papakura as of February 2019 and the next step is to source a leader to drive the incentive further.
“We will be working together to find out who is best to drive this project, as community groups need to know who to approach about this kind of development over land. Someone like Nicky Haywood could be the magnetic driving force needed as she is also local, engaged and involved in the Papakura community and has that Council experience. But either way, if we are to see more of these kinds of developments, we need to make sure everyone continues to work together to make it possible. Papakura is our people.” says Mark.