Media Release
For Immediate Use

3 August 2007

Major town centre for West Auckland one step closer

Property company and owner of the Westgate Shopping Centre, New Zealand Retail Property Group welcomes the planning changes made by Waitakere City Council that will see the likely development of a third major centre for West Auckland.

The newly adopted changes to Waitakere City’s district plan affect not only Westgate but also Hobsonville and New Lynn. The council are predicting these changes will lead to the creation of 19,000 new jobs and 8700 new homes by 2020. The changes are designed to create a compact, efficient, sustainable city where the need to travel is reduced and people have a greater lifestyle choice.

Corporate affairs manager of NZRPG Whare Akuhata said the announcement by the Waitakere City Council was another positive step toward facilitating the development of Westgate as a designated growth area under the Auckland Regional Growth Strategy.

“The backing of both regional and local government bodies in this matter brings us one step closer to the realisation of a brighter future for Waitakere residents and the greater metropolitan region,” said Mr Akuhata.

One of the key changes has been the extension of the Metropolitan Urban Limit (MUL) which would pave the way for NZRPG to develop a 40 hectare site adjacent to the Westgate shopping centre that would include commercial and residential, as well as community, educational and recreational facilities.

“As a wholly New Zealand-owned development and retail investment company, NZRPG have long recognised the need to make an active contribution to regional and local goals of sustainable urban development,” said Mr Akuhata.

“While it is too early to talk about specifics the vision for Westgate is for it to become the third major town centre for Waitakere. Better business, residential uses and employment opportunities will be encouraged. One of the major benefits is this will lead to less people having to commute out of Waitakere. The changes significantly contribute towards managing and promoting a sustainable city and region for the benefit of all its residents.

“On this basis, we have been working closely with the Waitakere City Council for several years now, and are pleased that we are a step closer,” he added.

People or organizations that made a written submission to any part of the proposed changes may appeal the council’s decisions.

ENDS

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