Developers think big

BY GEMMA REDDELL

A city is forming on Orewa's doorstep.

The Millwater project in Silverdale North may look to some like just another development, but with 3000 properties and about 10,000 residents expected, we're building a city, says sales and marketing manager Nick Hornby.

And it's selling fast.

A mixture of low, medium and high density homes to be built during the next 10 years on more than 300 hectares of land makes Millwater one of the largest developments in Auckland.

Stage one, which consists of about 80 properties, has been released and is 80 percent sold.

Stage two will be completed by early 2010 and stage three will consist of the commercial and retail area alongside stage one.

Rodney District Council project manager James Copley says there will be some local shops built alongside stage one which will service people in the first few stages, and people at the proposed Leisure Centre.

"We haven't finalised concepts yet but there will be two two-storey buildings with four to five shops in each building, and offices above."

Mr Hornby says there will also be about 50 hectares of business and commercial activities in the development, as well as schooling and recreational facilities.

The development involves a large number of people, with Millwater Developments responsible for administration, sales and site management, backed by WFH Properties, a joint venture between William Francis and Fulton Hogan.

Dines and Hicks Bros are the two main contractors carrying out the site works, and Fulton Hogan is responsible for roading.

Woods is handling surveying, engineering and planning with Landscape Architects Simon Ferrick doing the design and planting.

Brandmad is responsible for marketing, branding and naming of the development, districts, streets and some parks and reserves.

Millwater was established in 2005 after WFH purchased land from farmers over several years.

Four years were spent planning, surveying, rezoning and carrying out an historical study of the area.

Millwater will consist of five communities, named after the original farms - Bonair, Ridgedale, Arran Hills, Arran Pt and Seaview - which is where stage one is located.

Mr Hornby says the large commercial development, by developers Mainstay Developments is being built on the corner of Hibiscus Coast Highway and Millwater Rd.

Agent for the development Geoff Thorne of Harcourts says they are creating a town centre that will service about 10,000 to 15,000 people.

"This is purpose designed by council to have a town centre for the nearby residential suburbs including Millwater and Totara Views. There's an increasing population base and they need a good quality town centre."

He says a large Warehouse has been confirmed and they have already started earthworks. A Southern Cross hospital and Northern Swim school are also confirmed.

"The swim school will start construction next year and will be ready by this time next year. It's a privately owned centre but for public use. It will feature five pools, a gym and have swimming tuition."

He says Olympic swimmer Dean Kent will head the swimming lessons.

Southern Cross Healthcare communications manager James Norman says land use consent was granted by the Rodney District Council in April for the development of the private surgical hospital and more detailed planning work is progressing.

The application to the council outlined a hospital and medical facility with a general practitioner service, day surgery theatres, recovery suites, physiotherapy, medical specialists, optometrists and a pharmacy.

Mr Thorne says he has had an excellent response from potential tenants for both retail and office use.

"We can't be specific on numbers because it will depend on the size of the shops, but it will be a decent sized town centre. We're aiming for building to start early next year - the roads and kerbs are formed and footpaths will be going in shortly. The major services are in place and landscaping will take place soon."

He says there's also the possibility of apartments in the town centre.

"You need vibrancy and life in a town centre and apartments will help bring that."

He says there will be a few multi-storey buildings, with one high profile four-level centrepiece which will reach the height restriction of 13 metres.

"We are confirming a bank for the ground floor and there will likely be a high quality cafe and offices. There will be another couple of two-three level buildings, as well as a strip shopping retail section."

He says the large area is a difficult site to work with because it's not flat land.

"There's a lot of work involved for the developers and planners to make this work."

Plans will be available in the next few weeks.

- © Fairfax NZ News