DISAGREEMENT about the style of retail development at a proposed town centre has temporarily hindered progress of the project.
After reviewing the master plan last October, Manukau City Council’s company Tomorrow’s Manukau Properties (TMPL) decided the style and location of the retail area in Flat Bush did not meet with its vision, says chief executive Mike Higgins.
“We spent time reviewing the plan against the vision we and the council have for the town centre,” he says. “But we decided that aspects of the design would not meet that vision.
“Consequently the company rejected the plan in early December and we have said the developer, Melview Developments, can appeal our decision.
“They have not advised us that they are going to appeal and we are giving them some time.”
The project, he says, has not necessarily been put back further, “there is always a process allowed for in the development agreement, but the ball is in their court and we’re a bit disappointed because the time line has slipped”.
Despite continuing questions about the financial position of some of Melview’s businesses, Mr Higgins says “they continue to assure us they are capable of meeting their final obligation”.
Last May receivers were appointed to two Melview developments in the South Island.
At the time Mr Higgins said TMPL had no relationship with Melview’s Kawerau Falls companies. “TMPL’s assets are not exposed in any way by this event.”
When the Flat Bush master plan was introduced to the community at the end of 2008, Nigel McKenna, Melview’s managing director, said construction was not due to start before 2011, a year later than the original plan to start during the 2010 summer building season.
“You tell us when the market is ready,” Mr Higgins says. “Digging holes is subject to the appropriate market conditions. In the meantime there is a lot of work to do.
“We are proceeding with those works to finalise the design to the stage where everyone is happy.”
The next stage will be to implement the design which will be released publicly when it is ready.
Meanwhile moves are under way for other retail and residential developments in areas near the proposed Flat Bush Town Centre.
Mr Higgins says TMPL spoke in opposition at a resource consent hearing for a retail development at 142 Stancombe Road, on the corner of Jeffs Road.
“We are opposed to this development on the basis that it is out of zone,” Mr Higgins says.
“It’s not compliant as it’s in a residential zone and this development has got no residential component. Flat Bush has been carefully planned by the council’s planners.
“Why plan anything and then allow people not to abide by the plan? At the moment the consent is in the hands of the commission.”
But Mr Higgins says TMPL supports a neighbourhood centre – comprising of 15 retail and commercial properties and residential apartments – on the corner of Murphys and Ormiston Road.
“The development is part of the critical infrastructure and will serve greater Flat Bush,” he says.
“We will look at the design to make sure it is compliant in design terms but we are supportive of everything that is in accordance with the Flat Bush plan.”
Flat Bush is a new town planned on 1700ha of undeveloped land expected to house at least 40,000 people by 2020.
With an estimated value of more than $1 billion, the centre will be integrated with Barry Curtis Park. It will be built around a traditional main street concept and include shops, cafes, offices, community facilities and apartments.
TMPL owns the land and works with Manukau City Council on development of anciliary community facilities.
Melview will build and sell the town’s commercial properties.
• The application for East Park Trust’s development at 285 Murphys Road can be viewed and copies of submission forms are available at Botany Library and the Kotuku Customer Centre, Kotuku House, 4 Osterley Way, Manukau City. Submissions on the application should be made by February 22. They can be sent to: The Manager – Resource Consents and Compliance, Manukau City Council, Private Bag 76917, Manukau City. Attention: Resource Consents Team, Level 4, Kotuku House.
