At the full council meeting today, councillors will discuss the remediation and completion of earthworks at 101 Ballantyne Rd, the site of Wanaka’s future sports field hub.
The public is excluded from this part of the meeting to protect the parties negotiating positions, but a report by council managers Simon Battrick (sport and recreation) and Kenneth Bailey (community services) recommends the council enters the agreement with Mr Dippie.
During the meeting the council will also consider bringing forward over $5million in capital funding set aside to begin work on its sports hub in year six of the 2024-34 long-term plan (LTP).
It has been proposed that funding should be spent over the first three years of the LTP, in three sets of cash, more than $700,000 in year one, over $1.9m in year two and more than $2.4 in year three.
During the LTP submission process earlier this year, a procession of sports clubs officials urged the council to begin the sports fields project as soon as possible.
There was intense disappointment when the council earlier voted to defer the project until year six.
Mr Dippie developed the neighbouring Three Parks subdivision, which included sports fields, and was supportive of bringing forward the Ballantyne Rd project during LTP submissions process in July.
He told the council it was "critical" to allow for redevelopment of the site, formerly council sewage ponds.
"This site currently sits as a vacant Hail site [on the Hazardous Activities and Industries List] accumulating abandoned vehicles and uncontrolled rabbits and creating nuisance dust and odour effects.
"The site is, however, in a prime urban location with a growing residential population around it, easily accessible via the existing and developing road, walkway and cycle network, and in close proximity to Te Kura O Take Karara ["TK Primary School"] and the Wanaka Recreation Centre," Mr Dippie said, in Willowridge’s written submission to the council in July.
The Wanaka Community Board has also supported the sports clubs in their plea for action and voted on October 10 to recommend the council undertake the remediation of a 20ha site formerly used for oxidation ponds, and negotiate with Willowridge.
