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The next stage of Milldale’s large-scale housing development has been approved under the government’s fast-track consenting process, with the approval assisted in part by a commitment from developer Fulton Hogan Land Development to construct its own temporary wastewater treatment plant.
The decision, issued earlier this month by the independent Expert Consenting Panel, authorises Fulton Hogan Land Development Ltd to begin Stages 10 to 13 and Stage 4C of the Milldale project, along with a self-contained wastewater facility on Lysnar Road, Wainui. Together, the new stages will add capacity for more than 1100 homes, a neighbourhood centre, roads, parks and open spaces across 78 hectares of land on the northern edge of the subdivision.
The panel, appointed under the Fast-Track Approvals Act 2024, said the project met the test of “significant regional benefit” by delivering much-needed housing and infrastructure, and was consistent with Auckland’s planning framework. However, it noted that one of the key enabling factors was the developer’s plan to install a private wastewater system to avoid delays caused by capacity constraints at Watercare’s Army Bay Treatment Plant.
Watercare has previously acknowledged that the Army Bay facility is operating close to its limit until an upgrade is completed. If needed, the temporary Milldale plant is intended to handle wastewater from the new stages until the upgrade is completed. The developers said in their application that “the temporary plant addressed critical infrastructure constraints enabling continued growth in the Army Bay catchment that would otherwise stall by 2027”.
In its decision, the panel said the proposal “comprehensively manages its impacts” and praised the lengthy engagement between Fulton Hogan, Auckland Council, Watercare, and transport and environmental agencies. The panel also found the temporary plant, along with extensive erosion, stormwater and odour-management measures, would keep its effects within acceptable limits.
The development has been master-planned within the wider Milldale development and is expected to deliver a mix of two- and three-storied terraced and apartment housing, a small neighbourhood centre with about 850 square metres of commercial space, and a series of public open spaces with shared walking and cycle paths. Fulton Hogan will also construct new transport links, connecting to the wider Milldale network.
The developer has also adopted a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) approach for public accessways to the reserves and esplanade areas for safety.
The approval marks one of the largest residential projects processed under the new Fast-Track law, designed to accelerate infrastructure and housing with national or regional benefit.
Construction on the new stages is expected to begin in 2026, subject to the detailed consent conditions.
