Growth – Where is that plan?

The Warkworth Area Liaison Group (WALG) is promoting greater coordination of land development, infrastructure and roading for a well-planned Warkworth and district. The need for this has been highlighted again with the recent decision of Auckland Council to reject the Arvida private plan change along Matakana Road.

The developers want to have the proposal tested through the planning process, on the grounds that there is the demand for such extra housing in the near future. It has to be remembered that there are other planned areas – Warkworth South with 1500 new houses (if approved by commissioners), further houses to be built on Warkworth Ridge and the Stubbs Farm development with earthworks now underway.

Council and other service agencies have indicated that much of these proposed developments are (well) in advance of committed projects with funding constraints. Such infrastructure needs to be underway before development takes place. New areas that are not directly adjacent to existing urban land will require connections and/or upgrades to existing roads and pipelines.

A prime example is the Hill Street intersection with increased traffic along Matakana Road wanting to access the town centre and other areas. This intersection has to be improved even now, with a reduction in and restriction of some movements through it to make it safer and more efficient (as occurred with the recent temporary highway closure).

The increase from all these new subdivisions will more than double the current population, creating big demands for better roading, extensions of services, more community facilities, and expansion and enhancement of the town centre. The previous Town Centre Plan merely focused on making it more attractive, without addressing key issues of more parking, re-development opportunities in the heart of the centre, opening up the key riverside area, and providing more accommodation and better community facilities.

WALG is already identifying how such improvements can be made. There are some key sites in the triangle (the bowling club area) which could be more intensively developed to create accommodation (hotel and residential), retail and associated parking. Current suggestions for new uses in that area could compromise a more efficient and effective development option. It is obvious that there needs to be more parking to improve that current situation before greater demand is created from the new growth areas. This location is the key.

Another key area for enhancement and redevelopment is the wharf area, with great options to open up the riverbank reserve and create buildings that look over the river. The car parking area should become that open area. To compensate for that loss, more parking would be provided in the central block. This section of Queen Street could be made one way, again to make the street more attractive for customers and visitors. The existing community facilities (library and hall) should be redeveloped.

WALG will work closely with One Mahurangi and other agencies to ensure that the town centre will thrive, meeting the needs of an expanded Warkworth community.