Business park plans

More than 110 people turned up to have breakfast with Stevenson's managing director John Rae and Drury South Business Park project manager Richard Still last week.

The pair outlined the business park's progress at the first of this year’s Papakura District Council business breakfast series at the Papakura RSA.

Mr Rae says that while understanding sensitivities around the project, he also has a "duty to protect" the quarry which supplies one-third of Auckland’s aggregate.

If the project doesn’t go thorough Stevenson may be forced to vacate the quarry in 20 to 30 years, he says.

"The proposal to rezone is about protecting the quarry. Somewhere, somehow people have to make some choices."

Mr Still says by 2031 the shortfall of industrial land is expected to be around 1,010 hectares.

The initial business park proposal has been revised downwards by 41 hectares to 222 hectares to mitigate effects on neighbouring properties.

So far 108 people have written to Stevenson about the project, 70 people have made a submission and 9000 have visited the www.drury
south.net website.

Mr Still says the main objections to the project are over its effect on the area’s rural character, property values and rates, the environment and roads.

Both men are encouraging local businesses and residents to get involved with the project.

The next business breakfast on March 4 features Bill Ralston talking about the media.

It's at the Papakura RSA on Elliot St at 7.30am.Tickets are $17.

To register, email business@papakura.govt.nz or call 295- 1300.