Waimea Village residents committee members, new board members and other supporters of the residents celebrate buying the village from Michael and Carolyn Wright. Photo: Andrew Board.

Waimea Village sold!

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1919

“Thank God it’s over”.
That was the catch cry from residents of Waimea Village on Saturday night as they celebrated buying the village from Michael and Carolyn Wright. The Wright’s eight year tenure as owners and managers of the village ended on Friday and residents were keen to blow off steam and celebrate the end to the gruelling three year dispute.

The battle stemmed from annual increases to the monthly levy residents paid, which started from $80 a month at the end of 2010 to a proposed $350 this year. Residents were furious with the massive increases, which they had to pay on top of rates and other normal bills.

The residents had other issues as well. They had paid almost $400,000 in a repair and replacement fund that was controlled by the Wrights. The residents felt the money wasn’t there and went to court to try to protect the fund.

But all that is behind them now, including this year’s proposed increase to $350 which is already dead in the water. Those 148 of the 172 home owners in the village that bought a share have already seen their levy payments drop to $135 a month and it is expected to drop even further in six months’ time when the costs are reviewed. The remaining lease owners are still paying the same price, $172.50.

The village is now managed by a five person board, all elected by the residents and headed by Network Tasman chairman, Trevor Tuffnell. The board is comprised of three outsiders and two people who live in the village. It has contracted out the management services, which Kit Maling – the former councillor who stitched the deal to buy the village together – has secured for a year.

Residents committee chair Jerry Rowland says the party on Saturday night was a great event. “It was brilliant, everybody was relaxed and laughing and we had a huge crowd. I mean the hall was packed, everyone brought enough food to feed half of Nelson for the next week,” he joked.

He says there has been a noticeable difference in the village already. “Everyone is laughing and smiling. This is really what the village has needed, a shot in the arm. The sale will also make a huge impact on the value of property in the village because there’s no longer any insecurity or tension. The people can look forward to the future and people buying homes here can look forward to the future.”

Jerry also thanked all those who had stood up for the residents including their lawyer Warwick Heal, accountant David Verhagen, councillor Judene Edgar, Kit Maling and Weekly publisher Steve Page. As well as his committee members, residents and the general population who supported the residents.