23 JANUARY 2018

Retirement village for Wainuiomata – Mayor and Councillors delighted

Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace and local councillors are delighted with today’s announcement by The Masonic Village Trust for a $50 million retirement village development in Wainuiomata.

Mayor Wallace has been vocal in his support for a retirement village in Wainuiomata for many years and says that today’s announcement is great news for the suburb, particularly its elderly residents.

“Wainuiomata is a close-knit community and in the past, elderly residents have had to relocate to other parts of the Hutt Valley to enjoy their retirement. These are often people who have lived their whole lives in Wainuiomata and have contributed to building the strong community that it is today.

“A local retirement village will give the community the option to be able to enjoy their retirement in familiar surroundings, close to their whānau and established network of friends.

“The development will create local jobs and bring economic benefits to the suburb. It’s great news for the whole community. I would like to thank The Masonic Villages Trust for their commitment – this is a huge vote of confidence in Wainuiomata.”

Local Wainuiomata Ward Councillor Campbell Barry says that the announcement is good news for local families and is an acknowledgement of the hard work put in by various community groups and individuals.

“A retirement village has long been needed in Wainuiomata. Families will now be able to stay together. I’m grateful for the advocates in the Wainuiomata community who have been pushing for this, especially groups like Greypower Wainuiomata,” says Cr Barry.

Fellow Wainuiomata Ward Councillor Josh Briggs agrees, saying that a retirement village in the suburb has been a long time coming.

“I would like to thank The Masonic Villages Trust for exploring the idea and for the decision to develop this facility, as well as the huge community support over the years. All residents will be excited by this, not only those who are at retirement age but also those who will now have this option available to them in the future,” says Cr Briggs.

Mayor Wallace said that Council is looking forward to seeing the development progress.

“The local councillors and I are looking forward to working alongside the Masonic Villages Trust and the community as this exciting project is brought to life,” said Mayor Wallace.

ENDS

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