Survey launched to hear where and how you want to live into the future

10 July 2024

The future housing needs of Timaru District are coming under the spotlight with the launch of a survey to gain critical information about the needs of the community.

Economic agency Venture Timaru is undertaking the survey and encouraging as many people as possible to complete it, to help gain a wider understanding of our district’s housing needs both now and in the future.

Venture Timaru chief executive Nigel Davenport says for many businesses, attracting new workforce is closely linked with housing availability and therefore to have some clear direction about the housing needs for our workers and whole community is critical.  The information will be shared with the Timaru District Council to guide plans for new housing developments and housing projects and infrastructure.

“We simply need more people in our district to add vibrancy and ensure our district can prosper into the future. Aligned to this our businesses need to attract more staff, therefore we need more housing to accommodate these people, but the question is what kind of housing is this?” says Davenport.

“Many of our businesses are attracting a global workforce and often the traditional kiwi quarter acre house and section is of no interest to them.  They look for an apartment or townhouse with limited or no outdoor space, so they have plenty of free time when they’re not working to explore the region and beyond.

“Many of these people love inner or near city living, which means we need to accelerate housing in our city or towns either with new projects or converting existing buildings.”

The survey also includes a section for those who are considering a new build, with questions focusing on how much they would be prepared to pay for a section and how big this section should be.

“We’ve been quite specific with some of the questions, as it will give really valuable information for the council, developers and indeed us all,’ he said.

Davenport encourages workplaces to share the survey with their staff and networks to spread as widely as possible as this will provide better information.

“We want to hear from a cross-section of our workforce and wider community and ask all to complete the survey as there will undoubtedly be different responses depending on your age and stage of life, and your background.”

Complete the survey here:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HousingsurveyTimaru