Viewpoint – A 1250-home problem coming to Ōrewa?

The recently reported 1250-home Delmore development coming to Ōrewa, is not coming to Ōrewa. But it is coming, and it is going to cause significant issues – more on that below. 

Delmore was approved using the central government’s contentious fast-track approvals panel, which allows developers to get approval to build homes regardless of the views and concerns of local authorities, in our case, Auckland Council and Local Boards. 

Though Council and Watercare both opposed the Delmore development and raised significant concerns regarding the lack of supporting infrastructure, the fast-track approvals panel have given it the green light.

I recently made a Facebook post clarifying that this development was not in Ōrewa, contrary to what some journalists are reporting, but is rather coming into Wainui, west of Ara Hills. I was asked why this distinction matters, as the residents will still be enjoying the public amenities of the Hibiscus Coast. 

It matters that the development lies in Wainui, which is the Rodney Local Board area (the motorway is the boundary line). This means that any investment coming from the increase in population, developer contributions and rates from residents will be going directly into the Rodney Local Board coffers, and it is highly unlikely to fund infrastructure in Hibiscus Coast areas.

Our already under pressure public facilities need investment, and when we welcome 1200 new families to our sunny shores, our roads, public transport systems, footpaths, schools, community centres and sports fields and going to be under further pressure. How nice it would be if the government was instead fast-tracking much-needed public investment. We are already playing catch up delivering public recreation opportunities that are needed by established communities. 

Planning Committee Chair, Councillor Richard Hills, slammed the panel’s fast-track approval, arguing the project does not stack up, as that the decision forces uncoordinated urban sprawl that works entirely against how a city should be planned. 

Watercare has blocked Hibiscus Coast residents from connecting until they upgrade our wastewater capacity, and it’s right that they serve the developer the same restriction as well. Developers should not be able to get preference over the locals who’ve dedicated their livelihoods to investing in our community. 

That means that wastewater from the new subdivision will be trucked up to Whangārei. I am sure that future residents will expect that one day the houses will be connected to a public network, as they won’t want to fund and maintain ongoing private waste processes. 

We must welcome these new families and residents to the Hibiscus Coast. It is my preference that we welcome them with the supporting infrastructure in place to ensure these new families can enjoy our public spaces just as much as we do.