1 September 2005
Mt Wellington quarry development enters new stage
Auckland City's Urban Strategy and Governance Committee today endorsed in principle the latest Landco master plan
outlining a proposed density and layout for the former Winstones quarry site at Mt Wellington.
The master plan approach is being used to ensure that future development on the land is in line with the council's
strategic objectives of achieving a medium to high-density urban neighbourhood.
Committee chairperson and deputy mayor Councillor Bruce Hucker, said the quarry project was entering a critical phase
and it was encouraging that the master plan would provide the best use of such a vital landmass.
"The former quarry site is a vital component of Auckland City's growth management strategy and will bring economic
benefits to the area," he said.
“This is Auckland city’s largest remaining brownfield site so it’s important we strike the balance of development, open
space and community facilities. It has to be an exemplar of excellent urban design for the city."
The new plan is a revision of previous master plans. This approach allows plans to be refined before the best solution
for the site is arrived at. To date, the council has endorsed two versions of the master plan, each version reflecting
the ongoing efforts to balance urban design and other matters such as storm water management and transport solutions,
business practicality and contractual obligations.
Aspects of the latest plan that are different from previous master plans include:
- the retention of the lake, which will provide for the necessary water supply to support the Waiatarua wetland and
allow for the reuse of storm water in residences
- approximately 2,500 to 2,200 residential units, a reduction of 500 to 800 units
- a commercial centre of around 12,000 square metres, which has been shifted away from the centre of the site closer to
the netball centre.
The management of storm water in relation to the lake and the geometry of the lake are still to be worked through.
While the new plan allows for a lower number of housing units than the council had previously sought, it meets other
matters the council is seeking to address, particularly in relation to urban design principles.
However, details are yet to be demonstrated in relation to the form and function of open spaces and streetscapes, how
public transport networks and cycle and pedestrian links will function and the development of building styles for the
terrace/town houses and apartments. These details will be reviewed by council staff and the Urban Design Panel.
The master plan continues the concept of an indicative new major road through the quarry floor linking College Road to
Morrin Road. A portion of the road affects the top of Ngahue Reserve. In order for the land to be occupied by the
netball centre, this area was agreed to be exchanged with Landco and will be declassified as a reserve.
The council has also been consulting with property owners who may be affected by the road from the Landco holding to
Morrin Road. The council will need to formally designate the road.
In addition to the master plan, the committee endorsed work involving:
- continuing to investigate a new road connection from College Road through to Pilkington Road and to provide a
connection from the quarry and netball site to the Tamaki rail station
- enhancing roading, pedestrian and public transport links from the quarry development – particularly to a restored
Tamaki rail station
- investigating rezoning the Business 4 and 5 zoned land between the quarry site, the University of Auckland's Tamaki
campus, Mt Wellington and Pilkington Road.
The former quarry site is surrounded by a number of developments important to managing Auckland's growth and ensuring
the area is ready for the population increase expected over the next 25 years. These are:
- the new Auckland Netball headquarters at Ngahue Reserve
- the University of Auckland's Tamaki Campus
- Glen Innes township, which is currently the subject of consultation around proposed plan changes to encourage more
people to live close to the upgraded town centre and rail station
- Panmure township, which is also rezoning for increased population density and is currently having its rail station
upgraded.
ENDS