Kawerau ready for industrial revival with greenfield sites
Six greenfield sites for lease in a new industrial subdivision in Kawerau offer businesses a stake in the economic revival of the former Bay of Plenty mill town.
With a combined area of over 55ha, the lots come in a variety of sizes and are offered with long-term leasehold tenure enabling construction of new industrial facilities.
The sites form part of the new Putauaki Trust Kawerau Industrial Estate on SH34 just northeast of the town.
The subdivision, zoned for light to medium industry, is expected to bring new businesses and jobs to the geothermal energy hotspot previously dominated by the Tasman paper mill.
The trust says creation of the subdivision has provided employment for up to 100 people over the life of the project.
The venture received a Government boost as part of a $19.9 million cash injection for Kawerau from the Provincial Growth Fund in 2020.
Around half of this went towards an inland container terminal linking to the Port of Tauranga, due to be constructed soon opposite the Putauaki estate.
Other essential infrastructure and services are in place at the new sites and the trust is keen to lease them to long-term sustainable operations that will create jobs.
It says the location offers a unique opportunity to harness renewable resources and geothermal energy.
Lots 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 and 13 in the Putauaki Trust Kawerau Industrial Estate, SH34, are being marketed for lease by negotiation through Larissa Reid of Bayleys Whakatane.
Reid said the sites ranged from approximately 0.6ha to over 17.5ha with the flexibility to tailor sizes to suit tenant requirements.
Initial lease terms, commencement date and rights of renewal were also up for negotiation, with long-term leasehold tenures likely to see rentals starting from about $20,000 a hectare.
“These six new greenfield sites are ready to build on, with wastewater, stormwater, power and communication services in place, along with access to geothermal steam resources.
“They have been developed in park-like surroundings overlooked by the local landmark, Mt Putauaki, offering a unique working environment.
“Industrial zoning under the Kawerau District Plan opens the way for a wide range of industrial uses which could complement and add to Kawerau’s existing cluster of key business operations,” Reid said.
Neighbours include Mercury Energy’s geothermal power plant, a Putauaki Trust dairy farm and the Waiu¯ Dairy processing plant, which is owned by the trust, and other Ma¯ori businesses along with Japaneseowned food company Cedenco.
Reid said businesses locating to the subdivision would benefit from superb rail connections, especially with the new inland port. Kawerau also enjoys easy road access to Rotorua, Tauranga and Whakatane.