Town to rise from the rubble
‘‘It will transform the eyesore of a derelict quarry into a modern, integrated, innercity community’’
Construction of a controversial $1.2 billion Auckland housing development will go ahead following more than five years of opposition.
On Wednesday it was confirmed up to 1500 dwellings will be built at the former Three Kings Quarry between the suburbs of Mt Roskill and Royal Oak, after a compromise was reached between developer Fletcher Living and residents’ groups.
Community consultation on the $1.2 billion development began in 2008 however, it has been fraught with delays as residents, supported by the Puketapapa Local Board, opposed the development.
Three Kings residents’ groups took the matter to the Environment Court and High Court, due to concerns about the depth to which the development was required to dig into the ground and provisions approved by Auckland Council.
They were up against Fletcher Building and the Government, who both supported the development.
Now the parties have reached an agreement, after Fletcher made changes to its plans. The development will go ahead this summer with the first homes completed in 2019.
Fletcher Residential and Land Development chief executive Steve Evans said the agreement required up to four metres of additional fill in the former quarry.
Other changes include better connection to a new town square and better recognition of maunga and other volcanic features.
All appeals would be withdrawn, Evans said.
Three Kings Quarry was the second biggest brown fields site in Auckland, Evans said. The development, which was expected to create hundreds of jobs, would include a town square, two playing fields, a village green and a wetland park with boardwalk.
Environment and Housing Minister Nick Smith said he was frustrated it took so long for the development to go ahead but acknowledged the need for compromise.
‘‘It will transform the eyesore of a derelict quarry into a modern, integrated, inner-city community with a town centre, high quality public spaces and playing fields.’’
The development was subject to more than 100 consultation meetings and dozens of High Court, Environment Court and commission hearings.