The Paeroa Hills development is taking shape in the town’s former racecourse which, when completed, will bring a boost to the local population.
The racecourse had sat largely vacant since the last horse bolted in 2012, but since developers Wayne and Chloe Wright cut the chains of the gates in November, 2020, movement began to welcome in a new era for Paeroa.
The site will see a roundabout installed off Thames Rd, residential living, green spaces, a commercial zone, and a chapel holding a special memory of Chloe, who passed away in September, 2023, and who spoke of her desire to create “history” and a place she hoped was “unlike any other”.
“We’re building a fantastic chapel amongst the trees,” Wayne told The Profile. “As you come in the gate onto the property and turn left and go up that little hill, you look out over the property.
“On that ridge line will be a chapel that she had started designing and that I’ve had the designer carry on and finish off. And there’ll be a memory to her inside that.”
Currently, work is being done to change the terrain of the former racecourse. Crossfalls and pits are being put in to catch water, while the soil is being consolidated in preparation to become the final level for roads, stormwater and sewer pipes, and the like.
Wayne said progress will be spread over the next three years, with the current work cycle continuing until winter.
“Then there’ll be a pause of probably four months because we can’t work in the dirt,” he explained, “but then next summer we’ll make some major improvements in terms of progress, and by the time next winter comes, we’ll have some roads and formation down and it’ll be a much easier site to work on through the winter.”
Hauraki Mayor Toby Adams said that the development, coupled with the work happening at the close-by Longridge Retirement Village, could boost Paeroa’s population by up to 30 per cent.
“It’s definitely growing, and the community is changing, which is not a bad thing,” he said.
He also said it was great to have someone so passionate about the area behind the project.
“Particularly Wayne on this one where he has always said this is a passion project and a legacy project in memory of his wife. So, that makes it even more special for us.”
BY KELLEY TANTAU
