NORTHLAND + WHANGAREI | Region Development

[mathlete]

Originally Posted by SYDNEY

I am loving the new plan for PAIHIA.

I like the block-steps on the waters edge

[IThomas]

Massive port landholding on market

101ha previously used for port-related activities in Whangarei expected to attract international buyers.
One of the largest single blocks of city fringe land ever created for sale in New Zealand is on the market on the outskirts of Whangarei's central business district in Northland. The 101ha comprises 19 unified plots stretching from the industrial sector of central Whangarei well into the city's harbour. It is predominantly bare, although some heavy industry plant and warehousing is interspersed along the L-shaped site. The area has been used for port-related activities over several decades but over recent years, many industries have relocated, along with the Port of Northland, to the deep-water facilities at Marsden Point, half an hour south of Whangarei. Now named Port Nikau, the huge subdivision is being sold through an international tender by Bayleys through executive director David Bayley. He is marketing the property with James Chan and Ross Blomfield of Bayleys Northland.

Bayley says the sheer size of the block meant buyers would have to take a long-term view of developing the site. "And by long-term, we're talking perhaps up to 20 or 30-years," he says. "The Port Nikau opportunity would, on size, be one of the biggest ever seen in New Zealand's history and would rival three of Auckland's biggest single suburban development sites - Flat Bush south of the city, the former Hobsonville airbase west of the city, and Albany Basin north of the city." The land is about 5km from State Highway 1 and a branch railway line connects it with the Auckland to Bay of Islands main trunk route.

The Whangarei District Council has changed the property's industrial zoning to one that allows a mixed-used development, which could include commercial, retail and residential use, says Bayley. The application to rezone the land from "Business 4" to a mixed-use zone known as Port Nikau Environment, was approved last year subject to a master plan for development of the site being lodged with the council. "An initial plan has been lodged with council but is on hold to provide future owners with maximum flexibility as to how the development of the site should proceed," says Bayley. "This will allow new owners to retain the current industrial zoning or to progress through the master planning stage, either adopting the current plan, or incorporating their own vision for the property."

The present owners' plan envisages a phased, mixed-use development, including an urban living zone, a marine industry zone, a town centre zone with retail and food and beverage outlets, and a waterfront living zone for residential dwellings. "The long-term development prospects for the land are virtually limitless," Bayley says. However, there is an immediate opportunity to unlock value available, with consent obtained to subdivide 12ha at the northern end, creating 21 titles for an industrial business park. Some existing buildings are leased to industrial tenants and the site is generating more than $600,000 a year.

The three wharves next to the property are used for berthage by a mix of casual recreational users, commercial fishing vessels, and larger maritime craft. This area also contains the former Tenix complex, which features a 5963sq m high-stud warehouse with 1056sq m of additional office space and includes separate painting and hazardous substances buildings in the compound. Tenix was involved in building New Zealand's navy frigates and in-shore patrol vessels. Bayley says any development would most probably take advantage of the existing multiple mooring jetties and sheltered marinas adjoining Port Nikau.

Tenders for the Port Nikau subdivision close on August 4 and Bayley says he expects several interested international parties to be visiting Whangarei over the coming months to conduct due diligence. "A rare combination of scale, flexible planning options, and the ability to add value, on both a short and long-term timeframe, make this a compelling investment opportunity," he says.

[metroman]

The reemergence of the North. How ironic, that European settlement began in Northland, and with the release of significant mining geotechnical data, it could well become a major commercial hub.

[Matt L]

Marsden City, another town where pretty much the only way people will be able to get around is by car.
http://vimeo.com/inmotionpost/marsdencity

[master_klon]

Considering it's quite small I expect that cycling lanes would be very popular for locals, not smart to overlook this. Can't really complain about car dominance though.

[northland19]

Looks like there could be some development for Whangarei

http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/ne...ntial/1569552/

[northland19]

Whangarei set to get a Wendy's restaurant early next year!
http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/ne...rgers/1551794/

[northland19]

"An urban beach? A skateboard park? A great lawn? A waterpark? A climbing wall? What is your vision for the conversion of the undeveloped carpark between the Town Basin and Dent Street, from carpark to park? Council wants to hear your opinion on the kinds of activities being considered for the future of the area, and will be consulting through its website, stalls at markets on the bridge over summer, a public meeting at the Town Basin, and displays and feedback forms in the Central Library. “This area between Dent Street, Riverside Drive, the Hatea River and the Proposed Hundertwasser Museum, is essentially the left over space after the Dent/Quay Street Realignment project in 2005,” said Senior Specialist Urban Design and Policy, Nick Karlovsky. “Our aim is to transform it into high quality urban park that will
help link the CBD to the waterfront, and complete the Town Basin development up to Riverside Drive. There are lots of things to consider, including safety around a busy intersection and water and the kinds of activities people enjoy in open space. "We have three broad concepts
for people to consider, and we want to find out which kind of activities proposed in them have the greatest appeal. That way we can ensure the things people favour the most are incorporated into a final design.”
The three concept designs have some things in common, including a carpark area flanking Hatea Drive, a central pedestrian spine connecting the Canopy Bridge with the main pedestrian crossing point across Hatea Drive, a pedestrian and cycle promenade along the waterfront and an area
of lawn facing a stage or pavilion. They also have some unique qualities.
‘Activity Strip’ features a large youth-oriented activity space
for a range of activities including skateboarding, bmx, climbing and basketball. This concept also includes a children’s waterpark and playground, and a pontoon wharf, which could be used for kayak hire.
‘Big Wall/Urban Beach’ offers a large active water feature or urban beach, sculptural rock features and rock walls referencing existing rock walls in the Town Basin and the wider District, and tidal steps down to the river edge.‘Great Lawn’ places greater emphasis on passive activity around a large central lawn, with the aesthetic of the Hundertwasser Museum extended into the park by way of a common planting theme and/or forms.“We plan to set up a kiosk setup near the Canopy Bridge on Saturday 8 and 15 December, to coincide with the craft market (10am to 3pm), to hold a midweek public meeting at Reyburn Studio, and we encourage people to look on-line or take time to inspect the proposed designs in the Library, from 4 December.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...type=3&theater

[IThomas]

Northland population expected to rise

Northland's population is tipped to increase, with a sociologist expecting an influx of people leaving Auckland to drive the growth. Northland population is an estimated 159,900 residents, but is expected to rise by 20 per cent over the next 18 years to 192,300. The births and deaths figures for 2012, released by Statistics NZ, show 61,178 babies were born nationally last year, including 2311 to Northland mothers. About 30,000 people died nationally, including 1372 from Northland. Of the Northland births, 1372, or 59.3 per cent, were Maori, while 373 of the deaths (24.5 per cent) were Maori.

Massey University sociologist Professor Paul Spoonley said the people leaving Auckland for cheaper cities could push Northland's population up even higher than predictions. "I think there's anecdotal evidence to suggest Aucklanders are moving to towns like Whangarei but that's got to be balanced by the statistics which show very modest growth at best," he said. "Whangarei has been losing its population, particularly to Australia, at quite a high rate." He predicted many of New Zealand's regional areas would struggle in the next 20 years. "The challenge for regions is how do you keep jobs and how do you keep people?" Prof Spoonley said more people were looking to New Zealand's largest city for better opportunities - a pattern set to continue. "Auckland has a big city effect, in that it tends to suck in those people in jobs."

According to Stats NZ, by the time New Zealand's population attains 5 million in 2026, about 38 per cent (1.9 million) of the population will live in Auckland. About one-in-three Kiwis call the City of Sails home. He warned that "one-industry" towns would face the biggest battle for survival in the next two decades. Keeping the birth rate high was also important, he said, but without job opportunities, younger people would be hard-pushed to find reasons to remain in many provincial areas. Despite predicted increases in immigration numbers, which are expected to help overall population growth, Prof Spoonley warned that regional areas were unlikely to benefit. "Migrants don't want to go to small town New Zealand," he said. One of the biggest challenges facing national population growth was competition from across the Tasman. Stats NZ senior analyst Kim Dunstan said the mass exodus to Australia was one of the greatest contributors to last year's population growth of just 0.7 per cent - the lowest in 10 years.

[otumoetaiNZ]

Yup I can see a diamond developing with 80% of new zealands population within it. Time to start planning for that now and spending the money where its going to be needed.

[nthbeach]

So the triangle becomes a diamond does it

[zuanpejn]

This is just another food source.

[otumoetaiNZ]

Originally Posted by nthbeach

So the triangle becomes a diamond does it

Yup just look at where the population growth is. If it spreads to Northland then it will be a diamond. Climate is a big factor too.

[badbehaviour]

Originally Posted by otumoetaiNZ

Yup just look at where the population growth is. If it spreads to Northland then it will be a diamond. Climate is a big factor too.

It would be less a 'diamond' , more a parallelogram.

The golden parallelogram.

[otumoetaiNZ]

Originally Posted by badbehaviour

It would be less a 'diamond' , more a parallelogram.

The golden parallelogram.

LOL Youre right. It just doesnt sound quite right now does it?

[northland19]

looks like Northland is heading for future amalgamations.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/loca...-a-step-closer