Projects of Significance - Update
Hurunui District Council has outlined where its significant projects are up to, with some complete, some under way and others still being carefully planned.
Hanmer Springs
At Soldiers Block, attention has moved to Stage 3 of the redevelopment process, including a proposed interactive visitor experience within the Octagons. Governance and lease arrangements are being finalised and fundraising continues.
Queen Mary South has entered its first significant physical phase through the Rutherford Ward demolition. A masterplan will be developed with Ngāti Kuri and the community. The future mix of commercial, residential, recreation, heritage and reserve uses is still to be determined.
The Chisholm Bath House remains at concept and business-case stage, and no construction commitment has been made. Council will decide whether to include, defer or remove the project through the Long Term Plan.
Planning and statutory processes
Council has bought about 87 hectares at 185 Ashworths Road as a potential receiving area for the Amberley Beach proactive relocation programme. Plan Change 7 will set the planning framework for future residential use. It does not trigger relocation, approve subdivision or commit Council to construction. Those steps need later decisions, consents and funding. Council will keep engaging with residents, adjoining landowners, mana whenua and submitters.
For the Grierson Avenue extension - which will create a more resilient alternative access to the Amberley Beach golf course and recreation areas - design and pavement volumes were confirmed on 16 October, with physical works from January 2027. The project also provides the basis for reconsidering Council’s long-term exposure on Golf Links Road.
The main stormwater work at Stanton Road is complete. Council bought the property to secure the wetland needed for Amberley flood mitigation. The wetland will be kept, and surplus land will be subdivided and sold.
At Motunau, Fishermans Rise proposes about 18 residential sections on roughly two hectares of reserve land as a possible coastal adaptation response. An outline subdivision plan exists and the reserve-status process has begun. About $1 million is currently provided, with sales not expected before 2027/28. The project will proceed only if the updated business case remains satisfactory.
Decisions for the 2027–37 Long Term Plan
Across the district, about 23 percent of Council’s bridges and large culverts will reach the end of their nominal asset lives within 30 years. Replacing everything on age alone is unlikely to be affordable, so investment will be prioritised by condition, urgency, traffic demand, alternative access and economic importance. Council is developing a costed 30-year programme and confirming NZ Transport Agency co-funding assumptions.
Before any further major commitments, Council will present full business cases, spell out rates impacts and trade-offs, and report on approved strategic projects quarterly.
