Full steam ahead as rail attracts buyers
The completion of a new bridge joining the Horotiu interchange with the Ports of Auckland inland port facility at Horotiu is the next big step in the Northgate Business Park, according to project manager Graeme Lee.
The bridge spanning the main trunk line is expected to be completed mid-year and the new link will enable full utilisation of rail sidings on the Ports of Auckland precinct by allowing the delivery and pick-up of goods and produce to and from the North Island main trunk line. Once complete the bridge will be vested in Waikato District Council.
Northgate started with a sandwinning operation about 10 years ago before being levelled and readied for industrial subdivision. The bridge is the latest element of the Northgate project and another example of the interest in Hamilton and Waikato land shown by ports companies eager to establish off-port facilities.
Located in Waikato District about five minutes’ drive north of Hamilton, the industrial-zoned block is owned by business partners UPC Capital and Spartan Northgate, of which Lee is a shareholder.
Stage one of the development, 26ha, was started five years ago with anchor tenant Waikato Milking Systems and has now been sold out. Stage two has about 3.5ha to go and should be sold in the next few months, Lee said.
Businesses that have taken space so far include Civitec Civil Work, Waikato Valley Chocolate, Leisurebuilt Relocatable Holiday Homes, Radix, Aon Insurance Brokers and Waikato Milking Systems.
‘‘Lots has happened in the last six months, it’s just gone mad,’’ Lee said.
‘‘We’ve sold 109ha. We’re going full-noise. It’s all about the rail. A lot of people are keen to use the Ports of Auckland inland port facility as a freight hub. Once the ships are ready in Auckland freight can go up at night time, outside the daytime use of the rail for metro purposes. We also have a lot of interest from Auckland businesses looking for cheaper land and somewhere that’s less congested.’’
Ports of Auckland bought 33ha three years ago and started building in October last year. It currently provides storage facility for Open Country Dairy, New Zealand’s second-largest milk powder exporter.
The completion of the bridge will also allow the development of another 45ha bock to the southeast, which will be joined to Holmes Rd and could also have rail sidings, Lee said.