Environmental values paramount in prestige lakeside development
Buyers are showing strong interest in the first stage of a new property development on the shores of Lake Taupo, which
sets new standards of environmental stewardship.
Nearly half of the sections in the first stage of the development, Seven Oaks, adjacent to Kinloch township, have
already been sold even before development work on the ground has begun.
The land, on a plateau overlooking the lake, is part of a sheep and beef farm purchased by former Prime Minister Sir
Keith Holyoake in 1953, and is considered to be the “jewel in the crown” of the family estate.
When Sir Keith passed away in late 1983 the farm was divided between his children, with the portion on which Seven Oaks
is being developed going to his daughter, Dianne Comber.
Developer Bruce Bartley who purchased the land from the Comber family, says the site is a very special piece of land,
with magnificent vistas over Lake Taupo to the Volcanic Plateau beyond, and almost completely bordered by Department of
Conservation reserve.
“As such, it warrants our setting the very highest standards of environmental stewardship as we go forward. As an early
step we are embarking on an active pest eradication programme, which will give a huge boost to native birdlife in the
wider Kinloch area.”
Mr Bartley says the surrounding bush will be preserved with bush corridors extending into the site itself through a
comprehensive planting programme of the kind carried out at his nearby Locheagles development on the eastern side of
Kinloch.
“We will strike the right balance between preserving the native bush, and enabling increased access to the lake and bush
surroundings via a network of walking and cycle tracks which will be created in conjunction with Bike Taupo and DoC.
There will also be a fitness trail featuring a series of outdoor gyms.”
The highest environmental practices will be in force for the development and construction itself, with innovative
solutions for dealing with stormwater which will ensure no construction water will leave the site, but will be filtered
and returned to soakage within the property.
“The small Okaia creek will be unaffected by the new access, which will include an underpass providing a safe road
crossing for cyclists and pedestrians along a new bike and walking track parallel with the Okaia gully currently under
discussion with DOC and Bike Taupo. Seven Oaks will restore native bush on the Okaia Drive access route along with an
attractive entrance feature.”
The first stage consists of 29 sections ranging in size from 800 sqm to 1148 sqm priced from $245,000 to $895,000. The
first stage is part of a greater vision for the entire block of land, for which plans will evolve as the development
progresses.
Mr Bartley himself has long connections with the area, having been behind the development of the highly regarded
Locheagles development..
Work on the Seven Oaks development will be led by Phil Rielly, who has a long career in civil engineering and land
development projects in the Taupo District and other parts of New Zealand.
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