Developer clears quarry planning hurdle

Plans for a $1.5 billion housing subdivision on the former Winstone quarry at Mt Wellington have moved a step closer, with developer Greg Olliver clearing one planning hurdle.

Auckland City's planning fixtures committee will allow subdivision and development of part of the site, after ruling out the need for a road to be built within the old quarry to link it to existing roading networks.

The road from the quarry floor to Lunn Ave was proposed by the Auckland Regional Council, which asked that pedestrian, cycle, car and bus links be looked at.

The council's thinking was that a link could be provided from the quarry's heart up to one of the area's main thoroughfares.

Olliver's company, LandCo, prepared an in-depth feasibility study that found there were no viable options for establishing the linkages. The study was then reviewed by Garson Bell of the Auckland City's transport planning group.

Bell found the steep gradient out of the quarry would make it too hard for buses and other heavy vehicles to use any road out of the pit. Construction costs and the need to realign and change existing roads meant the road was not feasible.

Auckland City said it was satisfied with Bell's report and the subdivision and development of that area of the quarry could now begin.

In 2001, Olliver bought the 110ha former quarry site from Fletcher Building for $38 million in a deal funded by Strategic Group.

The property is one of the largest blocks of undeveloped land in Auckland, able to take a $1.5 billion housing subdivision for about 8000 people in up to 1000 apartments, 1000 stand-alone houses and 1000 terraced houses.