In his recent
Talking Point (23/03/17) Peter Bevan chastises Hastings District
Councillors for agreeing to provide additional land for housing which
he described as wasteful and profligate. Growers have previously also
objected to industrial developments.
There is no doubt
the pipfruit industry is crucially important to the Hawke’s Bay
economy with over 20 000 containers of apples worth at least $200
million being exported from the region each year. But here is the
catch. The pip fruit industry provides mainly seasonal employment,
pays many of its staff low wages, and generally does not pay them at
all if it rains or if the varieties are not ready to pick.
Horticultural is
clearly a major contributor to our very low incomes and consequent
high levels of deprivation and other problems. The industry struggles
to attract workers and finds it necessary to bring in thousands of
RSE employees from the Pacific for harvesting. Recently Radio NZ
found evidence incomes for RSE workers in the grape industry are
actually lower than 10 years ago. Whilst the RSE scheme contributes
hugely to the success of horticulture, injects, millions into the
Hastings economy and is easily this country’s best international
aid scheme, its very existence suggests picking apples for a pittance
is not attractive to many.
Most horticultural
jobs involve minimal skills that can be taught in a day or less.
Skill levels have a major impact on incomes as was clearly shown in
the 2011 census. For someone without qualifications the medium income
was $19 400, $27 200 with NCSA level one, $37 400 with advanced trade
certificate, and $46 700 for those with a bachelor degree.
Mr Bevan has
previously told me he would use all means possible to oppose direct
flights to Australia in effect dismissing the needs of tourism and
others sectors. An industry with this sort of employment history does
not have the economic or moral right to impede other sectors from
obtaining the resources they need.
He claims each
hectare of land taken for housing results in the loss of three
horticultural jobs, a figure that surprises me based on my 20 years
growing for Watties. A report prepared for the HDC in 2016 estimated
that adding 31 hectares of rural production land to the Omahu Road
North Industrial zone would boost regional GDP by $168 million and
create 724 high paying jobs, against a loss of $1,561,625 and 21 jobs
if used for pip fruit.
Published HBT 1 April 2017
In Hastings a
hectare of land provides a minimum of 12–14 housing lots including
allowances for reserves and roading. If each of these were occupied
only by couples receiving national super, the annual value to the
local economy would still be nearly half a million dollars plus
millions more in land development and building costs.
The HDC has a
responsibility to the community that extends beyond the pipfruit
industry and the decision to release more sections is in response to
a clear shortage especially in Havelock North. This shortage is
costing jobs and encouraging land banking causing rising section
prices, thus making it especially difficult for first time buyers. In
desperation some are now building in Napier on land already
identified as being at risk of liquefaction and/or tsunami with the
additional possibility of being declared a hazard zone if predictions
of rising sea levels prove correct.
Reverse sensitivity
issues with the mushroom farm has prevented further development on
Arataki Road but the inflexibility of the HPUDS (Heretaunga Plains
Urban Development Strategy) has further delayed the substitution of
land in Brookfields Road. As the Middle/Te Aute road development also
appears delayed the HDC has decided to release 21 Hectares in Howard
St, an area currently used for lifestyle and grazing horses.
HPUDS calls for 60%
of growth to be accommodated with intensification. But this still
requires willing developers, sellers and buyers. The Hastings Council
supports intensification and has significantly reduced development
levies to encourage infill housing.
That 75% of new
housing is being built on greenfields or rural land shows cramming
shoe boxes onto existing sections does not meet the needs of many
people. Additionally neighbours often object because they perceive
the character of their area will be changed, whilst multi storied and
semidetached developments that are clearly attractive close to the
waterfront in Napier, seem acceptable in Hastings.
Whilst Marie
Antoinette is alleged to have said “let them eat cake” when told
the peasants were starving, times have changed. If horticulturalists
want to be taken seriously they could start paying a living wage. In
any case we should not have all our eggs in one basket. One severe
hail storm could wipe out an entire season. More industry could
greatly improve the lives of many people.
Interestingly there
never seems to be any shortage of growers willing to sell their land
for development.
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