A private plan change has been proposed for the southern area of Warkworth including the former Ransom Wines property in order to develop the land for residential and recreational use. 

The project, titled the Warkworth South Concept, would involve up to 1,400 new housing units, large lots, open spaces, a sportsground, a local shopping centre, parks and reserves, along with walking and cycling networks.

Garth Falconer, the urban designer on the project working alongside planners David Hay and John Duthie, has been a local resident for 25 years. 

His main focus on the Warkworth South Concept was to create a new, quality community complete with a full range of facilities and which sits sensitively with what has to be one of the nicest river valleys in Auckland.

The base of the large valley will be reserved for wetlands and playing fields and connected with walking and cycling lanes. A range of sections will offer living options for families, couples and singles, and a local retail centre is planned to serve the local population - but not to compete with the Warkworth town centre.

“With the vision of landowners led by Bill and Christine Endean and Cindy Hao, our multi-disciplinary team is bringing a wealth of professional experience of similar developments to make South Warkworth a proud addition to the Warkworth township.” says Mr. Falconer.

In addition to the new homes and retail centre, the development is being considered by the Ministry of Education as the site of a new primary school.

In the most recent Rodney Local Board meeting, the chair of the board, Phelan Pirrie, suggested the development of Warkworth South should not proceed until the Southern Interchange is opened. 

However, with the new motorway opening next year and the development of Warkworth South still being a few years off, those behind the Waimanawa concept plans don't share this opinion. 

“With the new motorway opening, traffic volumes along the current State Highway One and Hill Street will have decreased significantly by this time next year, and we don’t have the same concerns as those raised by the chair of the Local Board. 

“It is also important to recognise that it is expected that the council will upgrade the current State Highway One when the new motorway is opened. This upgrading should include new pedestrian and cycle paths, which will greatly increase pedestrian and cycle connections through Warkworth, including those from Waimanawa in the future. 

“The number of new homes in this South Warkworth area is around 1,400, a comparatively minor number in terms of vehicle movements but a sizable contribution to providing homes for people wanting to live in the area in the future.”

At this stage, the project is at the visioning stage and the team is to confirm if it is viable before proceeding with preparing planning documentation. The aim is to lodge the private plan change by the end of this year when it will be assessed by council officers, notified for submissions and then considered at a hearing by a panel of independent commissioners.

“Given the continuing housing crisis in Auckland and the very strong direction by the Government for further and quicker urban development in Auckland, it would be extremely disappointing if council officers recommended the panel declined the plan change.

“Our team is in discussions with various arms of council and council-controlled organisations to ensure we meet their requirements and address any significant concerns they may have.

“The vision statement and the potential plan change is a direct result of the increasing housing demand in Warkworth and the need to coordinate the various ideas of Council, AT and the Ministry of Education for their future requirement in this area. 

“Feedback from landowners and mana whenua has been positive to date, and we will continue to work with these parties as the development of the plan change progresses.”