Palmerston North officials are asking Parliament to help turn an overgrown former city bowling green into housing.
Palmerston North City Council wants to build houses on unused bowling greens, but does not have universal support Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The council is sending a submission to the Environment Select Committee about a bill that would change the status of a 1.5 hectare section.
The old bowling club land, off prominent city entrance Fitzherbert Avenue, can only be used as a reserve and it requires an act of Parliament to change this.
Although the city has a housing shortage, there is some opposition to building on the land, known as the Huia Street reserve, which has been empty for more than 15 years.
The council's submission on the Palmerston North Reserves Empowering Amendment Bill asks for the law change to allow for the land's sale or development as housing.
The council is yet to decide if development would add to its housing portfolio, or if it would be sold to private developers.
The council submission said development would help deal with "an acute housing supply issue".
"[It] presents an opportunity for the council to show leadership by supporting medium-density housing development.
"This option may also provide the opportunity for a potential mixed-use housing development on the site."
At a council committee meeting this week, a proposal by councillor Brent Barrett to retain the land in public ownership was defeated.
"In my view it is the most certain way of actually getting a housing outcome," he said of his proposal.
The council submission says development will help deal with "an acute housing supply issue". Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The Huia Street reserve is one of two former city bowling clubs whose future is up for the debate.
The other one, a 7.5ha section on inner-city Summerhays Street, is not subject to parliamentary legislation, but is facing the same housing versus recreation debate.
Palmerston North house prices have climbed steeply in recent years and the median price is $750,000. Rents are also growing, as is the emergency housing waiting list.
The bill passed its first reading in December.
Select committee submissions close on Friday.
A previous attempt by the council to change the Huia Street reserve land's status 15 years ago foundered.
