Tuwharetoa Street carpark to be put on market

A decision has been made to continue with the sale of 29 Tuwharetoa Street in Taupō’s Central Business District, which will enable the completion of the CBD laneway network to the lakefront and further enhance the streetscape of the main entertainment area. The 1102 square metre site is considered prime commercial land within the heart of the town centre and is currently used as a public carpark. It had been advertised on the open market in 2013 but its sale was deferred for more robust consultation to be undertaken with the community. In 2014, public feedback was sought and of the submissions received, 80 per cent supported the sale. Mayor David Trewavas said the council today resolved to put the property back on the market in a bid to encourage more economic development in the town centre. "Economic development is one of the key strands in our long term strategy and this is in a high profile location that if developed will enhance our town centre considerably," he said. Mr Trewavas said a condition of sale would be an easement that would require a walkway to be built as part of any future development. Linking the lakefront to the town centre was one of the key objectives identified in the Commercial Industrial Structure Plan adopted in 2011 and the link from Roberts Street was the last to be completed. "Tuwharetoa Street has become a dining destination in recent years and we want to ensure we encourage a pedestrian friendly environment that connects people from the lakefront right through to the rest of the town centre," he said. If the property was not sold, it was likely the council would have to carry out repairs and maintenance on the carpark and pay to develop the walkway. Expressions of interest would be sought from real estate agents interested in marketing the site in the next couple of weeks. It was expected the sales process would conclude prior to Christmas.