‘Social ghettos’: Stanley Park sale plan rattles residents

Tuesday, 12 March 2024

A proposal to sell a large part of Stanley Park Reserve in Tokoroa has been met with hostility by some locals, but has the support of some large social service organisations.

A proposal to sell most of a Tokoroa park for a new housing development has been met with hostility by some locals who say it would lead to more anti-social behaviour and create “social ghettos”.

The South Waikato District Council is proposing to sell a large chunk of the Stanley Park Reserve in central Tokoroa for “community and affordable housing” and received 44 written submissions after it went out for community consultation earlier this year.

The proposal, which could see up to 19 new homes, an inclusive playground, toilet block, and small carpark built on Stanley Park Reserve will be deliberated on by councillors on Thursday.

Stanley Park Reserve in Tokoroa. The dark green part would be retained by council and used for a smaller park, playground and toilet block.

Of those 44 submissions, 30 were against, 10 were in support and four were neutral.

Supporting the proposal were a range of community-based organisations including the South Waikato YMCA, Raukawa Settlement Trust (RST), South Waikato Pacific Island Community Service Trust, Tokoroa Council of Social Services (TCOSS), and the Waikato Regional Council.

Tokoroa’s Terry Whiteman said he was against the proposal and bemoaned the lack of information about who would buy the land, or build the new homes, in the council’s report.

One of two entrances to Stanley Park Reserve in Tokoroa which is completely surrounded by residential properties.

“There is no information about the people who will be occupying this affordable accommodation, if they are referring to the streams of mentally ill, disenfranchised drug users and gang affiliated families that live at the motor park in town then that is a resounding no,” Whiteman said in his submission.

Others opposed said Tokoroa needed to retain its green spaces and parks, that it would create “social ghettos” or “slums”, and attract gangs and drug dealers.

In his submission, Bruce Simpson said the park was poorly maintained but should be retained by council because “green space is one element of civic design that can not be replaced once it is lost”.

“Plan and manage your assets so as to create wealth, not encourage more beneficiaries to move to Tokoroa simply because it's a cheap place to live.”

TCOSS spokesperson Lana Ahomiro said affordable housing was a “huge issue” in Tokoroa and was vital to the community.

“It is our hope that there is a robust process for eligibility for those whanau who need it so desperately and that wrap-around supports are provided to whanau who are eligible,” Ahomiro said.

RST chairperson Kataraina Hodge said the development of social and affordable housing “was in high demand” in Tokoroa and the building of a new playground would “offset the reduction in size of the reserve”.

However, before any land is sold the council must revoke the status of the reserve, which is required under the Reserves Act 1977.