Ensuring that sufficient and suitable land is available for industrial growth around Tākaka received wide support at a business community feedback session.

The group considered three potential sites that could be rezoned to “Light Industrial Zone”. If rezoned for industrial use, these sites would support the town’s ongoing development. The main message from the group was that there is a need for more industrial land, but that it’s also difficult to find places for workers to live.

Feedback from the business community will contribute to drafting of the Urban Growth Plan Change 81 which will implement the zoning changes.

Zoning new land is at the front end of planning, and ensures that natural hazards, urban form and function, and protection of highly productive land has all been considered. New industrial land will give certainty to landowners and neighbours about how the land can develop.

Tākaka business centre has historically been known as the junction with feeder roads from the north, south and east of Golden Bay connecting business and services. Moving to rezone land now will guarantee the future of Tākaka in the regional economy.