A resource consent for a service station to be built on some of New Zealand’s most fertile soils, beside the Hawke’s Bay Expressway, has been lodged with the Hastings District Council.
Hamachek Holdings’ plans for the site on the corner of State Highway 2 and Evenden Rd, Twyford, include a truck stop, service station, retail service area, cafe and fruit shop facilities.
A public notice of the project said about 29,570m3 of earthworks would be required to build the centre.
It would have four-lanes of pumps at a truck stop, eight lanes of pumps on a service station forecourt, underground petrol and diesel tanks, EV charging stations.
It would also require a two-way combined entry and exit access from Evenden Rd, road widening and changes to the SH2 and Evenden Rd roundabout.
The plans also include 62 carparks, 12 truck parks, loading spaces and pedestrian footpaths.
The land is classed as Plains Production land, a council zoning that recognises it as a place with nationally significant growing soils.
Hastings Mayor Wendy Schollum said everyone could now have their say before a decision was made.
“That openness is a strength of the system as it ensures people can be heard and decisions are made with a clear understanding of our community’s values,” Schollum said.
“This proposal is classed as a non-complying activity, which means it must meet a very high bar to be approved.
“The Heretaunga Plains are among the most fertile soils in the country, and our District Plan is designed to protect that while allowing fair consideration of any application under the law.”
The rear of the site was currently occupied by a residential dwelling, while the front was used for horticultural purposes.
Hamachek said in resource consent documents it had consulted with multiple organisations about its plans, including adjacent landowners Delegat’s Winery, which raised concerns about proximity, night-time activity, light spill, and visual impact on winery operations.
The documents also show community group Save the Plains acknowledged the value of a truck stop somewhere on the Expressway, but opposed the use of Plains Production Zone land at Hamachek’s preferred location.
Submissions to Hastings District Council on the resource consent application close at 5pm on December 3.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
I vote No.
Why not – the council have allowed a winery complex and sports park already on productive lands – I note there is going to be EV charging & a fruit & vegetable shop on site too . These can only be good for Heretaunga.
As a society we need to protect these productive soils. Once earthworks start we will never replace this productive land which is being educed with other human development. There are plenty of service stations elsewhere.
Please look into the future for the best use of the land for growing food for our growing population.
I will put in a submission to council expressing my unhappiness that this could even get to application. Stop using up valuable arable land for this kind of business.
Yes I couldn’t agree more!! exactly the same with this pathetic Racecourse relocation, or housing subdivision on beautiful soils! these are all about a quick turnover profit driven by greed! and speculation.
Ridiculous decision – if we actually need something like this why not on the waste land bordered by the expressway/Maraekakaho Road at the Longlands Rd roundabout – it’s an industrial area and was used for storing vehicles destroyed in the cyclone and appears to be a waste area. Seems far more appropriate than in the middle of a green area. I’d be against the proposed site!
Heather, we only have our fertile soils until we pave over then and then they are gone. You are right, the Council has made poor decisions in the past and if they don’t learn from them, they’ll be voted out again like the last ones. This applies to all Hawke’s Bay Councils, ratepayers are the ones you answer to, not the ‘bigwigs’! People remember to vote no. If they choose not to listen like the FDS debacle. P.s. vote with your feet too, people, and don’t give these people your $. Kirsten, how’s Black&White Accounting going now? Still at 11 Colenso Avenue? Will pop in soon.
It is my belief that Elite soils need our full protection. As Heather pointed out, there is a winery and a Sports Park!
Nek mint its all gone!
The problem is that population pressure is overwhelming our precious, irreplaceable productive soils, the very fountainhead of Hawke’s Bay’s wealth. We need, it seems, a fuel station to serve all the cars using the expressway. But then, how much land has the expressway covered? Every one of these encroachments seem compelling. But then, the end result is that there is no more productive land left. Sooner or later, we need to put a peg in the ground. Beyond that – No further!