Since 1990, the Pisa area has experienced rapid growth. with the permanent population jumping from 86 in 2001 to 219 in 2006.
The growth appears to be continuing, with residential development on the rise.
Almost all health, education, recreation, and emergency infrastructure for the area is located at Cromwell, although there are plans to develop some business and community facilities in Pisa itself, while retaining the area's rural nature.
Developers of some residential subdivisions have secured consents to establish restaurants, accommodation, and shops.
Viticulture offers the only retail outlets in the area at present, and there is also some tourist and homestay or farmstay accommodation in the area.
The nearest church and community hall are located at Lowburn, about 5km to the south.
Pisa has typically attracted farmers, horticulturists, and more recently young families and retirees.
Residents tend to be either self-employed or employed in nearby centres such as Cromwell, while others work on surrounding land in jobs related to horticulture, viticulture, and farming.
Statistics New Zealand says the median household income for the Pisa area in 2006 was $57,300 - slightly more than the Central Otago average of $43,400 in the same year.
Pisa falls under the jurisdiction of the Central Otago District Council and Cromwell Community Board.
Board chairman Neil Gillespie believes the construction of Clyde's hydro dam on the Clutha River - and the resulting Lake Dunstan - paved the way for marina and shore-front development in the area.
Local authorities at the time saw the potential for such residential development to be a positive spinoff of the project.
"Pisa Moorings, Wakefield Bay, and Perriam Cove are the realisation of that planning. The community saw that as turning it [damming] into a positive, and it's great to see it growing," Mr Gillespie said.
History
Until recently, Pisa was predominantly rural farmland. In the 1990s, wine-growers moved in, followed by residential property developers.
Pisa Moorings was the first residential subdivision, intended as a rural-style subdivision with low-level infrastructure.
Other subdivisions such as Pisa Village followed, leading towards a more suburban feel.
Wakefield Bay, Pisa North, Pisa Vineyard, Perriam Cove, and Orchard Bank have all been established, as has a residential subdivision across State Highway 6 on Clarks Rd.
Some holiday homes have sprung up, although most built-up property is occupied permanently.
There are some 450 sections in current subdivisions - both built on and planned.
Pisa's urban development is restricted to the north by Parkburn Quarry, which is operated by Fulton Hogan.
Physical features of the environment also restrict the area's growth.
Lake Dunstan borders Pisa's eastern side, the Pisa Range its western side, and to the south SH6 closes in on the lake's shoreline.
Family appeal
The land had been part of a deer farm and was without title, but both could see its potential.
In 2006, the couple moved to Pisa from Christchurch with their first two young children Yasmin and William.
"I thought the best way to bring up kids was in a small, semi-rural setting with a community feel," Mr Christian said.
Although Mrs Christian grew up on a farm and her husband in the city, both knew they wanted to live in Central Otago.
"We wanted to be near the water and here we've got easy walking distance to Dustin Park and Lake Dunstan, as well as the mountains behind," Mrs Christian said.
Twins Lachlan and Sienna (2), followed, completing the family.
Both Mr and Mrs Christian are based at their Pisa home - where Mr Christian works and Mrs Christian looks after the children.
They travel to Cromwell every day, but enjoy the trip along the shore of Lake Dunstan.
Wanaka is only 30 minutes' drive away.
The Christians consider themselves Pisa residents, with strong ties to Cromwell.
"I see myself as an integral part of the wider Cromwell community. I'm a member of Cromwell Rotary and our kids go to school there, but I also have an identity with Pisa," Mr Christian said.
"We would love to see a cycle trail between Pisa and Cromwell," he said.
Mrs Christian said with an increasing population, particularly of families with young children, Pisa needed to be carefully developed to meet the community's needs while retaining its rural feel.
"That's the major issue. Once we get up to about 500 people, there needs to be a certain level of infrastructure like footpaths and things," she said.
Both said the community plan was a great opportunity for all Pisa residents to come together and help future-proof development.
"We love where we live but there are dynamic changes going on and rather than be part of the problem we want to be part of the solution," Mr Christian said.
Community with a plan
The Central Otago District Council is developing and finalising Pisa's community plan.
Council community development manager Mathew Begg is tackling the project, which began with an initial community meeting held in October last year, followed by a community workshop in February.
In March, the draft plan was developed using information and feedback from residents through the meeting and workshop process.
It became available for public comment in June, and 14 submis- sions were recei- ved by the council before the closing date of July 10.
Mr Begg is reviewing the submission.
Any necessary changes will be made to the draft plan this month before it is officially signed off and printed.
The draft plan identifies parts of the Pisa area and aspects of it valued by its community.
These include its rural landscape, Lake Dunstan, a vineyard and boating atmosphere, low density development, aquatic wildlife, and nearby mountains.
Residents feel it is a safe place to live, where people can communicate and know one another, enjoy a sense of community, and be close enough to Cromwell while retaining a separate identity.
Recreation is also important in the area, and residents want cycleways and walking paths around Lake Dunstan developed, green spaces retained, and set areas maintained for other recreational pursuits.
There is support for some facilities to be developed such as a cafe or wine bar, children's playground, and retail space.
Other ideas include a community hall, volunteer fire station, sport or concert venue, art gallery, kindergarten or pre-school, and public toilets.
Most residents feel there needs to be a compromise between developing Pisa's infrastructure, and retaining its rural characteristic.
With Cromwell so close, it is unlikely major development will take place in the smaller Pisa area.
The community plan proposes to develop a "realistic" level of infrastructure to meet the needs of the community.
