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Auckland Council has delayed releasing a plan for Warkworth’s future urban growth until there is more clarity around transport plans for the region.
A draft structure plan was due to be released this month following public consultation on future land use and infrastructure.
The plan will identify sites for new schools, parks, shops and industrial areas.
Auckland Council planner Ryan Bradley says Council has draft plans drawn up but can’t share them yet because of uncertainty over the community’s big transport projects.
Transport planning is currently being reviewed as part of the Supporting Growth Programme – an initiative of Auckland Transport and the New Zealand Transport Agency, which is tasked with developing transport plans for Warkworth’s expansion over the next 30 years.
Roading projects Supporting Growth is considering or refining include the western collector (connecting Woodcocks Road to SH1), Matakana link road (connecting SH1 to Matakana Road) and a southern interchange (allowing access to the new Puhoi to Warkworth motorway from the south of Warkworth).
Mr Bradley anticipates work on transport options will be sufficiently advanced this year that the draft structure plan will be able to be released around February next year.
“We will go out with a full package showing the land use plan for Warkworth and how all the transport and other infrastructure will work to support it,” he says.
Mr Bradley says the draft plan will be subject to further public consultation. This will include seeking feedback during open days at the Warkworth Town Hall, but will also likely involve Council staff reaching out to people at public events and running sausage sizzles outside supermarkets.
Letters will also be sent to Warkworth residents informing them of the plan and how they can provide input on it.
It’s hoped the draft plan will be able to be finalised around April or May next year.
More than 1000ha of land has been identified for future urban growth in Warkworth, with the town’s population expected to grow five-fold over the next three decades.
