Subdivision ready to go when market improves
A Kaikōura housing developer says his large-scale subdivision is fully consented and ready for construction – all that’s missing is market demand.
“At the moment, it is a paddock, so it can be grazed to give us an income, but we can push the button when the market picks up,” said Vicarage Views owner Garry Robertson.
The seven-hectare Vicarage Views development on Ludstone Rd already has key infrastructure in place and consent for 83 homes, including 20 units designed for older residents, 1News reported.
“It is fully enabled. The bridge has been widened; services have been enabled to the boundary,” Robertson said. “It is consented and priced up and we could have sections developed in four months, if the demand is there.”
According to Opes Partners, the average property price in Kaikōura was $722,519 in May – down 4% over the past three months. Despite the dip, property values have risen by an average of 4.2% annually over the past two decades.
$7.8m infrastructure funding supports Kaikōura’s growth
The Kaikōura District Council received $7.8 million from Kāinga Ora’s Infrastructure Acceleration Fund three years ago, enabling road upgrades, shared pathways, bridge strengthening and utilities to support housing in both Vicarage Views and the Ocean Ridge subdivision.
Vicarage Views homes are expected to range in price from $725,000 to $1.2 million, with marketing and pre-sales expected to begin shortly.
“I think it will go like a rocket when we go to market, but I’m just waiting to pull the trigger,” Robertson said.
Linking two major developments
The Infrastructure Acceleration Fund agreement initially targeted delivery of 400 homes, split between Vicarage Views and the larger Ocean Ridge development south of the town.
A new road will eventually connect the two subdivisions, and the extended shared pathway will enable walking and cycling into Kaikōura’s town centre.
Kaikōura District Council CEO Will Doughty remains confident the long-anticipated homes will be built.
“There is a very different economic climate to when it was first proposed three years ago, but we are looking at 2026 to deliver on our housing outcomes in Vicarage Views,” Doughty said.
Ocean Ridge plan change in the works
Robertson’s development company, Cargill Station, also has plans to lodge a private plan change to open up more sections within Ocean Ridge, adapting to changing buyer preferences.
“The market has changed in the last 20 years. When Ocean Ridge was designed it was for big sections and it was promoted as a lifestyle sub-division,” he said.
“But people don’t want 800sqm sections anymore. They don’t want chicken houses or veggie gardens. They want a 400sqm section with a big house.”
For buyers still seeking space, the Highgate area of Ocean Ridge offers larger lots – from half an acre to one acre – priced between $1.2 million and $3 million, with sea and mountain views.
Long-term housing capacity already in place
Ocean Ridge is also earmarked for a village green, commercial development, and potentially even a school.
Robertson, who also owns the Seaview Kaikōura subdivision, said he is confident Kaikōura’s long-term housing needs are already catered for.
He said he has enough land to meet demand “for the next 30 years.”
