Feedback needed for future of housing

Published on 28 May 2019

View over Whanganui

Whanganui District Council wants to hear from people about the future of housing in our community.

A proposed Housing Strategy was adopted by the Council on 14 May 2019 to consider the way housing is planned for Whanganui’s long-term future, as well as to address the current housing shortage.

Although the strategy has been written by the Council, implementing it requires the whole community to work together. The main principles of the document are to collaborate, advocate, explore and implement ways to solve the lack of housing in our community.

An increase in population of approximately 700 people per year in Whanganui, combined with the performance of the housing market nationally, a decline in ownership and different ways people are living have all contributed to a lack of housing in Whanganui, particularly in the rental market.

Initial consultation was carried out with the property sector, iwi, community health workers, builders, developers and architects before the proposed strategy was written.

Policy and Governance Manager Stephanie Macdonald-Rose says although initial consultation helped shape the proposed strategy, the document needs input from the wider community before being adopted by the Council.

“We really hope a wide range of people in Whanganui will read the strategy and have their say. This is a community-led document and we want to hear from anyone who has ideas about or is impacted by the housing crisis in Whanganui. This is big picture thinking. The Council can’t meet housing needs on its own.

 “Some actions the Council can take to increase the availability of housing are to make sure our processes are enabling, to plan for future land use and rezoning and to look at infill housing.

“Following the strategy, the Council will develop an action plan which we will work on with community agencies, developers and other stakeholders. Our vision is for everyone in Whanganui to have housing opportunities and a great neighbourhood to live in,” says Mrs Macdonald-Rose. 

The strategy is available on www.whanganui.govt.nz/haveyoursay, where you can make an online submission, or email your thoughts to policysubmissions@whanganui.govt.nz

Hard copies of the proposed strategy are available from Whanganui District Council at 101 Guyton Street, Davis Central City Library or Gonville Café Library. Submissions close at 5.00pm on Friday 5 July 2019.