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Gair Ave Subdivision, Cromwell

Project Update - 22 January 2026

Subdivision Progress (Stages 1A & 1B)

Civil works for the first stages of the Gair Avenue Subdivision are almost complete.

In September 2025, Council completed a Request for Proposal process for private developers to purchase and complete the subdivision, including building homes based on Council’s development plan. Council staff are now in negotiations with a preferred developer. A proposed sale and purchase agreement and other sale options are expected to go to the Cromwell Community Board and Council for consideration in March 2026.

If the sale proceeds, it is likely that Council will not be selling individual sections. Instead, the successful developer would market their own house and land packages, expected to be available from the first quarter of 2026.

We will share more information once Council has made its decision in early 2026.

Flora Street Greenway – Stormwater Works

Work is currently underway in the Flora Street Reserve to install stormwater infrastructure that supports the new subdivision. For everyone’s safety, the reserve will remain fenced off until the work is finished, which is expected to be around the end of February.

What are the earthworks between Gavan Street and Gair Avenue?

This is the construction of a stormwater basin. Once completed, it will look like a landscaped, grassed area, featuring:

  • Grassed banks (shown in green on the plan)
  • A shallow, grassed channel running through the centre (shown in brown)
  • Gentle slopes (1:4 and 1:3 batters) so the area can be safely mowed and easily accessed

Why is the basin needed?

The basin is designed to provide extra capacity in the stormwater network during major rainfall events. Its purpose is to help ensure nearby properties are not at risk of flooding during critical storms.

What will it look like day‑to‑day?

Most of the time, the basin will simply be a grassed, open space.

  • During rain, you may see water flowing along the central channel—similar to a small creek.
  • It is unlikely to fill completely except during very heavy storm events.
  • When dry, it will be usable as an open, walkable green space for the public.

Earthworks began on 10 March 2025, on the last stage of the Gair Ave subdivision, with civil contractor South Roads taking over the site. The first couple of days were to be focussed on site setup, and bulk earthworks to start after that.

This project has been a long time in the works; in 2022 the Cromwell Community Board approved a five-stage approach (see diagram below) for developing the remaining block of Council-owned land at Gair Ave.

In March 2023, the board approved $2,093,410 to fund development of Stage 1A and Stage 1B and to make the remainder of the land ready for the development of the next four stages. The project doesn't affect rates, and the profits will be used to fund other Council developments.

The subdivision will deliver a range of housing types - about 110 houses in all - including more affordable options, such as semi-detached and terraced housing on smaller building footprints, that were in the Cromwell Masterplan objectives.

Environmental controls to help stop dust will be in place during the earthworks and building the infrastructure such as stormwater drainage, water, services reticulation, streetlighting, and roading construction including footpaths and berms over the next eight months.

Read more about the project at: https://www.codc.govt.nz/your-council/news.

We will provide updates at various stages of this phase.

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