Warkworth Ridge
1 September 2023
It’s been an eventful few weeks in and around the Warkworth Ridge site. Since our last update the hugely anticipated expressway between Puhoi and Warkworth and the Matakana Link Road have opened. They have been gamechangers, to say the least. With the opening of the Matakana Link Road, you can now get a very real sense of Warkworth Ridge and its progress from the new vantage point, and just how close the first stages of the development are to nearing completion.
Physical works have essentially finished immediately north and south of the MLR, and the first five stages have undergone a massive transformation in the past few months. The team’s perseverance and diligence throughout has been nothing short of remarkable. Landscaping has begun, weaving throughout the contours of the landscape. With the worst of the weather expectantly behind us, we’re looking forward to finishing the job in more favourable conditions to take Warkworth Ridge to the final phases.
Development Update
Settlements for the first 199 residential lots are imminent, and the team have worked incredibly hard to get things moving and to the point we’re now at. We’re currently getting compliance processed, which will subsequently allow for the application of titles which we’ll endeavour to fastrack in the coming weeks.
The heart of Warkworth Ridge, the Village Centre will provide residents with a central meeting place, intended to be the social hub of the community. Taking cues from Warkworth’s character, the architecture was informed by elements of Warkworth’s cement factory together with its rural surrounds. The building will comprise of a restaurant, event space, general store and a co-working space on the first floor. We’re now at the point of resource application for the Village Centre, so we anticipate a start on construction in the warmer months.
The 5300sqm Pak’nSave received a warm welcome from locals following its opening in late June. Within a stone’s throw from Warkworth Ridge, it’s a much anticipated part of the community that constitutes a $46 million investment. It comes as another very welcome addition to the Warkworth community, The Warehouse, have also relocated to a newly opened retail store in Woodcocks Road.
Construction Update
With the completion of the Matakana Link Road, a valuable piece of infrastructure has now been commissioned and operational with water supply to the development secured via a new water supply network from Hudson Road, under the now old SH1 and under the Warkworth Showgrounds. It has been a massive effort and a credit to the team to get this commissioned in one operation. The first five stages are now up and running with both water and power.
With 72 lots, stage 1B is a significant stage, and we’re happy to report it’s progressing well towards completion in the coming months, despite the challenging weather. The quarter had double its average historical rainfall, which led to some complications. All of the inground services have been installed and the Dempsey Woods’ team is constructing the necessary retaining walls, footpaths, roads and joint owned access roads that will complete the development and make way for our housebuilding partners to commence work.
Stages 1a and 3a are both well underway with civil works- drainage and retaining walls are well into installation. Stage 1 Road construction has also commenced and most of the road corridors are now stabilised with a running basecourse to allow for construction to continue through wetter periods.
Anticipated Programme
With the severe wet weather we’ve been experiencing, we made the call to pause earthworks on stages 3b, 3d and 3c. We’re happy to report the area has been stabilised within council requirements, which will allow us to apply for early works approval, meaning earthworks are on track to recommence in September. With much of the bad weather behind us, we intend to have the earthworks on these stages completed as soon as possible. While the future stages are undergoing works, we’ll be initiating and focusing on the green spaces within Warkworth Ridge- the parks, common spaces and landscaping, which will be the crowning piece to the development.
We continue to work closely with Northern Arena on their very anticipated aquatic centre, neighbouring the Warkworth Showgrounds. Encompassing a gym, a 25-metre pool, two smaller pools for children and a café, it will provide invaluable sport and recreational activities for the community. Construction is set to commence in the coming months.
Infrastructure Update
The Puhoi to Warkworth expressway has put an end to the infamous bottlenecks at the Hill St intersection, and the completion of the Matakana Link Road offers a bypass to Warkworth and Hill Street for access to the Kowhai Coast. Spanning 1.35 kilometres, the Matakana Link Road connects Matakana Road and SH1. Featuring a stream crossing bridge, walking and cycling paths, wetlands and stunning landscaping alongside, the road has been a collaborative effort between Templeton, AT and Waka Kotahi. From the Matakana Link Road, you get a real sense of Warkworth Ridge, and the development taking its final form.
Sales
We have just a few outstanding sections remaining in the first stages. If you, your family or friends are keen to see what Warkworth Ridge entails, come and pay a visit to our display suite at 2 Clayden Road, Warkworth. By private appointment only.
Please contact sales@templetongroup.co.nz today if you’re interested in any of the available lots.
