Despite major development pressure, Raglan still has no confirmed structure plan – while other Waikato District towns like Huntly, Ngāruawāhia and Te Kauwhata are already mapped for future growth.
That was the standout concern raised by Raglan Community Board Chair Dennis in his update on Raglan Community Radio.
“We’ve got the growth going on here. We’ve been pushing for it – yet we get bloody ignored,” Dennis said.
The absence of a structure (or spatial) plan means Raglan has only the District Plan to guide where new housing, commercial areas, roads, or public services should go over the next 30 to 50 years. Without a Plan, development risks being driven by private developers instead of coordinated community and environmental priorities.
“We’re going to end up with a developer saying, ‘Well, I’m going to put a supermarket here’… and it just happens.”
According to Dennis, council staff recently confirmed that Raglan’s spatial plan is not guaranteed. It must be recommended by staff and then approved by councillors, despite earlier indications it would follow after other areas were completed.
“I said to the councillors at the last meeting, well, I hope you guys are going to push Raglan… [but] no one’s prepared to tell us where we stand.”
A structure plan would set out land zoning, reserve locations, infrastructure corridors, shopping, parking, education and commercial precincts in a way that aligns with climate resilience, local values and long-term transport and water management. Without one, ad hoc approvals may shape Raglan’s future instead.
Bypass uncertainty adds to growing traffic pressure
The long-delayed Raglan transport report was finally released last month, but Dennis said it failed to confront the real issue: traffic congestion through the town centre.
“It hasn’t addressed the fact that to get to Raglan we’ve got to bring all the vehicle movements through the town centre,” he said. “It’s just going to move the bottleneck… so somewhere along the line, we’ve got to have a bypass out that way.”
The report does include a possible bypass route running from the Te Hutewai Road intersection, around Rangitahi, and emerging near the Wainui Reserve access road. However, no serious investigation has been done into how feasible it will be to acquire the necessary land from current landowners to link it to the main road near Maungatawhiri Rd.
Two major subdivisions are planned in Raglan West, which will dramatically increase traffic volumes. Dennis noted that developers are already arguing over where new connector roads should intersect Te Hutewai Road – a sign that the absence of a council-led transport corridor plan is creating uncertainty and risk.
“Council needs to step up and say, ‘This is where we’re going to run a road,’ and just get on with it,” he said. “It may upset a few people, but… we’ve got to look at the better good for the community.”
CCTV disappointment: “Just one camera”
After years of discussion and site assessments, Raglan has secured just one new CCTV camera, despite identifying at least seven high-priority sites.
“You finally get an answer, and they say, one. One CCTV camera,” Dennis said. “It’s not an acceptable result as far as the community is concerned.”
The funding application was believed to have been submitted through Police using the government’s Better Off programme. But Dennis said the outcome was unclear and disappointing, especially when other towns secured more installations.
Some mobile units have been deployed temporarily in problem areas like Ngarunui Beach Road to address dangerous driving, but these are no substitute for permanent deterrents and evidence-gathering tools, especially in the CBD.
Harbour Contamination linked to legacy stormwater issues
Ongoing E. coli spikes in Raglan Harbour have been traced to properties with waste water incorrectly connected to stormwater drains. The result: untreated waste flowing into the harbour.
“Apparently it’s cross-contaminated… people have got their septics hooked into their stormwater,” Dennis said.
He noted that past smoke-testing may have missed these issues, which are often buried or the result of DIY installations.
Apparently a couple of instances are recent builds where the plumber has got it wrong.
Council staff are now working to identify affected properties and ensure rectification. Ongoing monitoring by the Waikato Regional Council will confirm if harbour conditions improve.
Wastewater: bioreactor in testing, outfall shift years away
Raglan’s new bioreactor wastewater treatment system is currently being tested and is expected to go fully live in the next few weeks.
The longer-term goal is to shift the treated outfall from the harbour to a land-based disposal field at Wainui Reserve. That shift is at least two years away, Dennis confirmed.
“My understanding was they had done tests, and they were positive that the land there was suitable for the outfall,” he said. “The feedback I’m getting is they’re pushing on with that location.”
Council is currently engaging with local hapū about land access and use, with consents and engineering design work still to come.
No $5 roading increase – contractors to deliver more with less
Waikato District Council recently rejected a proposed $5-per-property rates increase intended to improve rural road maintenance. Instead, new roading contracts are expected to deliver better results within existing budgets.
Dennis said the proposed amount was unlikely to have made a significant difference.
“If it was $5 per ratepayer… the amount collected is insignificant. You might do half a kilometre of seal.”
He emphasised the need for regular maintenance rather than reactive patching.
“I lived on a metal road for 40 years… we didn’t have the problems with potholes that we’ve got on that same road now. The grader used to go up it several times a year.”
The new dual-contractor model begins this month and Fulton Hogan have the southern area of the district.
Spot something that needs fixing? Report issues easily via the Antenno app, the Report It button on WDC website, or call them on 0800 492 452.
Elections ahead – and a referendum on Māori wards
Looking ahead to the 2025 local body elections, current board member Tony Oosten is stepping down, while Councillor Lisa Thomson will run again. Former deputy mayor Axel Beck has also announced his mayoral bid. Nominations close at noon on 1 August – go to the Waikato District Council website for their Pre-election report and Waikato Regional Council website for regional council information.
“There will be options for people to stand as [Mayor,] Ward Councillor [District and Regional councils] or Community Board members… Now’s the opportunity to stand up and be counted.”
A referendum on Māori wards will be held at the same time.
Have your say on neighbourhood parks
Dennis ended the interview by encouraging locals to participate in the District Council’s neighbourhood parks plan consultation. Feedback is being sought on reserves in Lorenzen Bay, the rugby and netball grounds, Warihi Park, Oram Park, Whale Bay, and Rangitahi.
“Feel free to make a submission.” He said.
You can make your submission at this link until 14 July.