Developer behind Kaikoura’s Ocean Ridge wins award

RD Hughes Holdings Limited won the Landcare Research Special Award at the recent Canterbury Resource Management Awards Programme, sponsored and hosted by Environment Canterbury (ECan).

The award acknowledges the developer’s commitment to ‘eco-development’ in relation to the Ocean Ridge project.

Thirty-nine ha of new native bush, 12 ha of wetlands, seven km of integrated cycle and walkways, and on-site stormwater management systems are among the environmentally sensitive features incorporated in the $80 million residential development, which will eventually add another 300 homes to Kaikoura.

“We placed significant focus on consulting with community stakeholders including the local runanga before work began on the development and as work progressed,” says RD Hughes Holdings marketing director Bruce Harvey.

The total area of the three-stage development comprises 135 ha, with only 20% being allocated to residential housing. The other 80% is intended for grazing or horticulture, and amenity features including 12 ha of riparian and wetland restoration. A further 29 ha of dryland native bush in newly designated public access reserves will be revegetated and reverted to the Kaikoura District Council.

“We look forward to seeing this development progress and strongly encourage Ocean Ridge and Kaikoura District Council to maintain their stormwater management systems and restoration plantings,” says Dr Richard Gordon, general manager Landcare Research.

“Similarly, we encourage R.D Hughes Holdings to keep working with property buyers to promote environmentally-friendly building designs.”

 Harvey says Ocean Ridge is attracting investment from people who not only want a slice of the spectacular coastal location, but who value the lifestyle and eco-friendly attributes of the development.