27 February 2012

New town centre gets the green light

Employment, retail and housing opportunities are all set to be delivered to the greater Flat Bush area, with the announcement Ormiston Town Centre plans are now approved.

A joint announcement this week by Auckland Council Property Limited (ACPL) and New Zealand based developer Todd Property Group, will see the greenfields site developed into a 19-hectare town centre for the high growth area.

Once complete the town centre will include retail, cafes, restaurants, commercial office space, medical facilities, apartments, townhouses, open spaces for recreation as well as a proposed aquatic centre.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown says the launch of Ormiston Town Centre is great news for residents and communities of this area, which is expected to grow to 40,000 people over the next 12 years.

“The last decade has seen thousands of people make Flat Bush their new home and it is a priority to deliver these Aucklanders a town centre they are proud of.

“I believe the Ormiston Town Centre will tick all the boxes, a place to work, play and live, as well a place that becomes the heart and soul of the community and an exemplar for new high quality developments as proposed in the Auckland Plan,” said the Mayor.

ACPL managed the development agreement and masterplan process in consultation with Auckland Council and the Howick Local Board. David Rankin, Chief Executive of ACPL, says they are pleased to be moving ahead with the project in partnership with Todd Property.

“Todd has a proven track record, delivering some of New Zealand’s largest land developments in recent times, and we are confident they will deliver the best results for this project,” said Mr Rankin.

The Howick Local Board has indicated the provision of a Library and Community/Arts Centre in the Long Term Plan and brought them forward two years by reprioritising spending. The Board has resolved that these be located in close proximity to the park and events space with the exact location to be confirmed once the concept plan for the Community/Arts Centre is complete.

The masterplan currently indicates an initial position for the library, which is still under review.

Michael Williams, Chair of Howick Local Board says, “We will continue to work with ACPL and Todd to expedite the development while ensuring that the location and design of the community facilities meet the community's needs.”

The land, currently owned by Auckland Council, will be sold to Todd Property on a staged basis with the first land transfer anticipated in August 2013. The project with an estimated construction value of half a billion dollars is expected to be completed between 2019 and 2022.

Evan Davies, Managing Director of Todd Property says they are looking forward to the continued delivery and development of Ormiston Town Centre.

“The plan for Ormiston Town Centre has been developed for everyone who makes up a community. It will not simply be a place for people to work or shop, it will be a place to go for a walk, relax, cycle and meet people from your community. It will have high quality urban design, easy accessibility to the surrounding park, and safe public spaces,” said Mr Davies.

Todd Property’s current projects include the development of the 110 ha residential suburb, Stonefields, and the development of the 160 ha Long Bay community on Auckland’s North Shore.

The new town centre will be found on Ormiston Road to the east of the gateway Ormiston Bridge near Chapel Road.

ENDS

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