Media release
12 November 2015

More than 400 homes and an employment hub for Hobsonville Point site

Auckland Council has approved the development of more than 400 new homes and an employment hub on a 20 hectare block of land on Hobsonville Point.

The council-owned site in the centre of Hobsonville Point has been the subject of much deliberation over the past few years.

Initial plans provided for a marine precinct and, more recently, Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) proposed the site be used for a Screen Industrial Precinct to support the growth of the film industry.

After a search for a commercially viable proposal for the Screen Precinct proved unsuccessful at the end of last month, council’s Auckland Development Committee (ADC) agreed today to adopt a masterplan that will see the building of 441 new homes and an employment hub or mixed use zone (commercial and retail).

The Airfields masterplan has been developed by Panuku Development Auckland in conjunction with the other key landholder in the area, the Crown-owned Hobsonville Land Company.

The plan provides for a mix of housing types to promote a diverse residential community with a portion of the homes to be affordable under the provisions of the site being a Special Housing Area.

The employment hub/mixed use zone will consist of an initial 3.8ha block near The Landing, with the potential to expand to a 2.2ha site on the west side of Wallace Road should demand require.

Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Auckland Development Committee Penny Hulse says while disappointed the council hasn’t been able to get the film precinct across the line in Hobsonville Point, it’s encouraging to hear the level of market interest in such a short space of time.

“We are certainly not giving up on a film precinct out west and are very committed to making that happen. We will land a film precinct, in the west area and we will have partners. This is certainly not bad news. It's very good news.

“It’s also fantastic the land will still be used for a lively employment hub so locals can work near where they live, not to mention the hundreds of new homes for the rapidly growing region.”

Panuku Development Auckland Interim Chief Executive John Dalzell has welcomed today’s decision to proceed with a housing focus for the site.

“The adoption of the Airfields Master plan is an eagerly awaited outcome that will offer enhanced and integrated urban design and housing, including improved linkages, public connections, open spaces and street frontages.

“It also means momentum can be maintained in Hobsonville, removing uncertainty for key stakeholders and making the most of current market conditions.”

Dalzell appreciates there has been considerable interest in the film precinct proposal and Panuku will continue to do all it can to identify another suitable site for what is an important growth industry for the region.

Work is expected to get underway now on 80 homes as part of the first stage of the site’s development. Panuku will work with the local Hobsonville community and key stakeholders to identify outcomes for the next stages of the development.

ENDS

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