GTC (Guildford Timber Company) wants approval to build a road through the Silverstream Spur to enable a 1600‑home development. The Spur is council‑owned native bush containing several bird species, including kiwi. GTC has planned the development since 2007 and says the Spur provides the best access between its ridgeline and valley sites. Upper Hutt City Council rezoned the Spur as natural open space in 2024, blocking road construction. GTC appealed the rezoning in the Environment Court; no hearing date is set. Project manager Matt Griffin says alternative access routes do not meet project requirements.

GTC says the road would link the development to public transport and reduce car dependency. Forest and Bird is defending the rezoning, arguing a road is incompatible with the zone and would harm the forest’s ecological value. Local residents share concerns about loss of native bush and wildlife. GTC says the road would occupy only one‑tenth of the Spur and argues the land requires active management. Silver Stream Railway opposes the road, saying it would cut through high‑value vegetation and is unnecessary. The railway also raises reverse‑sensitivity concerns about future residents complaining about noise and smoke. A council report found landfill noise and odour could affect residents and risk the landfill’s licence. GTC disputes this and says it is working with the landfill on mitigation.

Locals also worry about increased flooding and erosion; GTC says development would improve water management. Flooding Us argues extra run‑off is inevitable and modelling is unreliable.

GTC faces zoning limits because its land is classed as general rural. A 2023 proposal to rezone it as general residential was withdrawn after majority opposition. Hutt City Council, GWRC and NZTA opposed the rezoning, citing transport and infrastructure concerns. Residents say local roads are already congested. GTC says traffic impacts can be managed and has budgeted for minor upgrades. The development has been listed for Fast Track Approval.

Some locals support GTC’s Silverstream development. Resident Veronica Watson said she was impressed after initially expecting poor environmental standards. She said GTC addressed ecological impacts and designed homes to fit the landscape. Griffin said his family had longstanding ties to the area and viewed themselves as guardians of the land. GTC said it aimed for strong ecological outcomes and would use only 30–35% of the land for development. The remainder would remain green space. Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce chief Patrick McKibbin supports the project, citing economic benefits. He said it could bring hundreds of millions of dollars into the region over a decade. He said the Hutt Valley needed more housing to meet population growth. Upper Hutt City Council projects population growth from 46,000 to 70,000 by 2051.

Source: Anya Fielding / Radio New Zealand

07/05/26