Cambridge local Yann Wernli’s company has purchased the former sand quarry on the corner of Vogel, King and Taylor Sts, with plans to split it into around 30 residential sections
A former sand quarry adjacent to the green belt reserve is set for development later this year, having sold to local business Progressive Property Investments. The 1.6-hectare block, which sits opposite the Cambridge Raceway on the corner of Vogel, King and Taylor Sts, was owned by the Waipa District Council and has been sold to help raise funds for the redevelopment of the town pool.
Cambridge local Yann Wernli’s company has purchased the land, which will be split into approximately 30 residential sections, with each between 500m2 and 600m2.
“Earthworks will be taking shape over the next few months, and we expect the site to be ready by the end of summer 2019,” Yann explained.
Between 1900 and 1940 the site was a sand quarry, providing important roading infrastructure across the Waipa and local Cambridge Raceway. According to environmental engineering company AECOM, the site was backfilled with soil and refuse between approximately 1940 and 1950 before being used for grazing.
“The property has been subject to multiple surveys by environmental consultancies and very little refuse was found,” Yann said. “The majority of the refuse was either burnt off or removed from the site, as indicated in the historic documentation. The fill material that is present at the site is largely sand, silt and/or clay material, so the land has been deemed safe for residential use.”
Jonathan Findon, environmental scientist and director at Geohazard Environmental Ltd said: “Additional soil sampling will occur at various phases as the project continues, including final validation sampling. Converting a site such as this from disused land is a sustainable use of land resources, and the developed properties will be suitable for residential use.”
Yann said Progressive Property Investments will be selling some bare sections and building on others itself.
