Resource Consent granted for lakeside development
The Taupo District Council has granted Resource Consent for the first stage of a new property development in Kinloch on the shores of Lake Taupo.
About 20 of 29 sections in the first stage of the development, Seven Oaks, have already been sold even before development work on the ground has begun. Construction is anticipated to commence in the coming weeks.
The land, on a plateau overlooking the lake, is part of a sheep and beef farm purchased by former Prime Minister Sir Keith Holyoake in 1953, and was considered to be the “jewel in the crown” of the family estate.
Developers Bruce Bartley and Phil Rielly who purchased the land from the family, say the site is a very special piece of land, with magnificent vistas over Lake Taupo to the Volcanic Plateau beyond, and almost completely bordered by Department of Conservation reserve.
“As such, it warrants our setting the very highest standards of environmental stewardship as we go forward. The surrounding bush will be preserved with bush corridors extending into the site itself through a comprehensive planting programme of the kind carried out at the nearby Locheagles development on the eastern side of Kinloch.”
“We will strike the right balance between preserving the native bush, and enabling increased access to the lake and bush surroundings via a network of walking and cycle tracks which will be created in conjunction with Bike Taupo and DoC. There will also be a fitness trail featuring a series of outdoor gyms.”
The highest environmental practices will be in force for the development and construction itself, with innovative solutions for dealing with stormwater which will ensure no construction water will leave the site, but will be filtered and returned to soakage within the property.
“The small, ephemeral, Okaia creek will be unaffected by the new access, which will include an underpass providing a safe road crossing for cyclists and pedestrians along a future bike and walking track parallel with the Okaia gully currently under discussion with DoC and Bike Taupo. Seven Oaks will restore native bush on the Okaia Drive access route along with an attractive entrance feature.”
The first stage consists of 29 sections ranging in size from 800 sqm to 1148 sqm priced from $245,000 to $895,000. It is part of a greater vision for the entire block of land, for which plans will evolve as the development progresses.
Mr Bartley himself has long connections with the area, having been behind the development of the highly regarded Locheagles development..
Work on the Seven Oaks development will be
led by Phil Rielly, who has a long career in civil
engineering and land development projects in the Taupo
District and other parts of New Zealand.