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Major earthworks on land owned by the Morrison family, at the southern entrance to Warkworth, has been the subject of much speculation recently.
Family spokesperson Bevan Morrison has confirmed it is not the start of the much talked about Western Collector nor is it a new industrial estate.
“The family is completing the extension of the current industrial development we started about 25 years ago,” Bevan says.
This involves developing an area of about five hectares on the other side of the hill, at the end of Morrison Drive. The orange clay fill that motorists can see from State Highway 1 is what has been moved from the Morrison Drive site to achieve flat building platforms.
“We have taken the time to ensure all this fill placed on the highway side of the farm is engineered fill so that it will be compliant and compacted to the level required for future development. Although this is not likely to happen for another five to 10 years, according to the staging of the draft Warkworth Structure Plan, it is a more efficient use of the clay than to cart it off site and then go looking for fill in 10 years.
“This area around the hill and down to SH1 will most likely become more of a commercial area with possibly medical-related services.”
Bevan says the new industrial land will meet a much-needed demand.
“For the last three or four years, local business owners have been asking us for land from any future development. To give a feel for this demand, we ran a tender late last year for the few pieces that weren’t sold through private agreements and had 28 people or businesses vying for a section.
“It’s unfortunate that so many, mainly locals, have missed out, but it highlights the need. Again, we are seeing more demand for commercial, rather than industrial land, although there is still a need and demand for industrial land.”
Bevan says this underlines the challenges Auckland Council has in ‘finding’ new areas for business to develop.
“Unfortunately, coloring a map purple doesn’t necessarily mean it will work.
“There have been other sections of our farm ‘earmarked’ for future industrial, but we know from experience there is no way this hilly land can economically be developed as industrial/commercial sections.
“The most sensible approach would be to extend the Rural Urban Boundary (RUB) north of the motorway exit at the Warkworth Showgrounds and take in the flat and gently sloping land around the old Civil Farm.
“This is also opposite the new industrial area designated down Goatley Road, in close proximity to the motorway entrance.”
