Mayoral candidate Damon Harvey says he will lead the first ever masterplan for Havelock North as the suburb comes under pressure from major residential expansion and commercial development.

“Havelock North residents must have absolute confidence that their village has the infrastructure to support this new growth.  A masterplan has never been done before and I will make it a priority.”

“As mayor, the masterplan, developed with the community, will then become a template for across the district to change up how we advance Hastings for the future.”

Mr Harvey said since Havelock North Borough amalgamated with Hastings Council in 1989 the villages population was has grown from 9000 to 14,000, a 55 percent increase and it could reach 20,000 within the next five years.

Over the next five years alone, up to 800 new houses are planned for Iona and Brookvale; construction of a large scale retirement village is underway, new commercial buildings have recently been completed with more on the horizon and a new supermarket could be open within the next couple of years.

“Infrastructure network and services, including drinking water and waste water are constantly under pressure, schools are again at capacity, there’s a shortage of car parking in the CBD.  It’s bumper to bumper traffic getting from one side of Havelock North to the other, or across to Hastings and back at peak times.”

“All this, will put further pressure on many aspects of living in Havelock North and we need to be planning now so that the infrastructure will cope.

“Havelock North residents can have absolute confidence that under my leadership council will deliver a masterplan to work through these growth pains their community is experiencing.

“Future and better planning is important so all residents, families and businesses continue to enjoy where they live.

Mr Harvey said he has been working with residents in Tauroa Valley and Middle Road in recent months due to their concerns about increased traffic and risks to cyclists and pedestrians.

Te Mata Peak Road is also under immense pressure due to the rise in tourist buses from the growth in cruise ship visits to Hawke’s Bay.

“Some improvements have been made in Tauroa Valley which is used to access Te Mata Park by over 5000 people a week, but it’s only a short term solution, it needs to be future proofed.

Mr Harvey says a poor decision by council earlier this year to not buy a small piece of land within a development in Arataki that would have linked it to a playground and a pathway to schools is an example of lack of future thinking.

“This is tragic and does nothing for creating a family orientated environment, parents will instead drive their children to school, when they should be getting active.”

Mr Harvey said a third arterial road south of Havelock North into Hastings is also on his agenda as Havelock Road is already congested. He is also keen to see a sports and community hub developed at Anderson Park for rugby, cricket, tennis, squash and community groups.

“I am committed to working with Havelock North residents, the business community and school principals and board of trustees to ensure there’s a shared vision for the growth of Havelock North.

Mr Harvey said in the lead up to the elections, he will announce a range of focus areas for his mayoral platform.