The Colville Project: Progress Round-Up

The Colville Project Trust (TCP) has methodically progressed from initial feasibility studies to a refined concept plan for the Wellbeing Education Centre (WEC), applying rigorous preparation for resource consent and community benefit. Our journey to date reflects years of commitment from many volunteers past and present, expert input, community alignment, and adaptive planning to serve the Northern Coromandel Peninsula.

Origins and Early Feasibility (2016–2017)

TCP's foundations lie in the partnership between the Colville Community Health Trust (CCHT, est. 2005) and Colville Social Service Collective (CSSC now called The Colville Junction, est. 1997), formalised via a 2016 Memorandum of Understanding. These trusts operate from leased, non-purpose-built houses in Colville Village, facing constraints like open-plan layouts lacking privacy, inadequate clinical spaces, wheelchair-inaccessible waiting areas, and unreliable internet - issues detailed in the 2017 Momentum Research feasibility study.

That study, spanning October 2016 to April 2017, involved comprehensive research: Census analysis, four community workshops (119 attendees), surveys (115 community members, 64 visitors, 30 user/potential user groups, 11 youth online), 31 community/stakeholder interviews, a youth focus group (20 participants), school meetings, and medical student feedback. Key findings confirmed high needs in a NZ Deprivation Index 8 area: ageing population, youth outflow, housing shortages, isolation (e.g. Thames Hospital 2+ hours away), and peak visitor pressures. The study deemed a multi-purpose facility feasible, aligning with trusts' visions for holistic health, social, education, and housing services to enable ageing in place and community resilience. 

Technical Advancements and Site Acquisition

(2018–2024)

TCP incorporated as a charitable trust in 2018, purchasing the 35-hectare site at 89 Wharf Road, Colville (Lot 3, DP310508) in 2021 - funded by community donations. This strategically zoned (Coastal/Rural) site, near village amenities, has the capacity to support the project's WEC, housing and recreation opportunities on one site, as per community preference. 

Preparatory work intensified: property mapping, geotechnical investigations, stormwater master planning, ecological assessments by Remnant Restoration, traffic impact analysis, hydrological studies, and three-waters planning (e.g., Te Miro Water, GWE). Engagement with Mana Whenua (Ngāti Tamaterā, Pare Hauraki), essential for informing land aspirations, has also formed an important part of the process. Thames-Coromandel District Council (TCDC), Coromandel-Colville Community Board, St John, and Fire and Emergency NZ provided support in many different ways. 

Design Evolution: Doughnut to Square Doughnut

(2023–2025)

The original "round doughnut" concept design for the Well Being & Education Centre.

In 2022 TCP ran a process whereby architectural designers tendered basic designs in an attempt to win a contract with the project.  The winning architect’s early concepts explored a circular “doughnut” design - buildings encircling a central courtyard for communal focus. This was taken to the wider community for comment and input in late 2022.  TCP considered variations of this in 2023 and then in 2024,  formed a volunteer Concept Design Advisory Group comprising building, architecture, and planning specialists to scrutinise options against goals.  This process prioritised  short and long-term economic considerations, functionality, and flexibility, refining to a “square doughnut” layout retaining the courtyard while enhancing efficiency. 

The final "square doughnut" concept design, maintaining the central courtyard but providing enhanced efficiency.

The final WEC design supports multi-purpose use including: health and wellbeing provision; education (youth/students), social and community services and development; and short-term accommodation options for visiting professionals and those needing short-term care options; while retaining the flexibility to ensure that it can adapt to new/differing community needs over time.  

In its early development phases, TCP worked with Beca who carried out pre-purchase geotech investigations, developed early concept designs and conducted preliminary cost-predictions  In 2025, with the final concept design signed off (refer to architectural computer renders below),

TCP then engaged Veros Property Services’ to conduct a comprehensive feasibility/business case review. Their analysis praised preparatory depth while also noting expected gaps (e.g. updated demographics, quantitative facility usage) now being addressed in 2026. 

2026 Priorities: Resource Consent and Funding

TCP is currently in the final stages of preparing for resource consent application, aiming  to apply for a 10-year lapse request and staged consents.  TCP has been successful obtaining funding with Lotteries to progress work with Veros on our detailed feasibility/business case.  This will ensure rigour for moving forward including capital works funding. In a tight environment, TCP has planned to allow for a staged build of the WEC if required; with housing and recreation developments funded independently and having their own development timelines. 

Thank you to Lotteries for supporting The Colville Project.

This diligence - via Momentum Research & Evaluation Ltd, Beca, Veros and advisors - positions TCP as a model for supporting remote rural equity, including alignment with NZ Rural Health Strategy 2023 (rural priority, services closer to home) and Better Later Life Strategy. Current data shows a worsening deprivation index rating (NZDI 9 - where 1 is the most well off and 10 is the worst off) and highlights depopulation risks without our community's intervention. 

TCP’s 35-hectare site enables sustainable development with low-impact infrastructure, and demonstrable environmental stewardship. Community support remains strong and we intend to keep you updated with future announcements. 

Should you have questions, reach out to TCP - we welcome dialogue on this community-led path.