Warkworth is on track to become one of Auckland's key satellite towns, as identified in the Auckland Plan, with significant residential and business growth proposed over the next 20 to 30 years.
What types of development and where it may take place is outlined in the Warkworth Structure Plan, approved on Tuesday 4 June by Auckland Council’s Planning Committee, following a year of comprehensive public engagement.
The plan covers 1000ha of greenfield land on the fringes of the existing town.
“The structure plan provides a land use and infrastructure layout for Future Urban zoned land," says committee chair Councillor Chris Darby.
"Over time, staged development of the area will lift Warkworth’s population from 5000 to around 25,000-plus as the necessary bulk infrastructure allows.
“It will help meet Auckland’s pressing need for housing and local employment, creating some 7500 new homes of various types to meet all stages of life and about 5000 new jobs in employment areas.”
Growth will initially focus around northern Warkworth as the new motorway is completed and wastewater and roading systems are developed.
Job creation a key focus
He said that job creation, making Warkworth an anchor for employment, was critical in establishing future development where people could both live and work in the area without the need to travel into the city.
“The recently improved public transport connections will be a factor in making this happen.”
Councillor Darby added: “The structure plan acknowledges that the existing Warkworth town centre by the Mahurangi River will remain the focal point and primary business centre serving the wider Warkworth area. The new urban expansion areas will include four new small centres to meet local needs.”
He welcomed the level of attention the plan had paid to protect the many special characteristics of the area’s natural environment and heritage, important to the local population.
“Environmental protection has to be at the forefront of any plan to develop our greenfield areas. This requires the most sympathetic placement of any growth in future urban land.
“This plan has included significant measures to meet that requirement,” he said.
Rodney Local Board supports plan
Rodney Local Board Chair Beth Houlbrooke said the board had been impressed with how the council had developed the plan, providing interactive community meetings and opportunities to engage with a variety of stakeholders.
“We recognise the plan won’t please everybody, but it will provide an important degree of direction and certainty to how Warkworth is set to grow for decades to come," she said.
“We’re particularly pleased to see the important future transport links and interchanges noted. This will help reassure locals they are being thought of.”
Full details of the plan, including future land use and infrastructure maps and a detailed report responding to over 200 pieces of public feedback, can be found on the Auckland Council website.
