Big Helensville site now available

The land at 9-17 Mill Rd, Helensville, would suit multiple future uses.

A large development opportunity has presented itself with a substantial site totally 14,033sq m for sale in up and coming suburb of Helensville in Auckland's North West.

Colliers International brokers Ryan de Zwart and Craig Smith say the freehold property at 9-17 Mill Rd offers unrivalled development potential with multiple future uses. It is for sale by deadline private treaty, closing on October 12.

"This is a prime development opportunity situated in the heart of Helensville which is complemented by favourable zoning for future uses. This will be appealing to anyone looking to develop, sub-divide, or occupy," says Smith.

The elevated site is on Mill Rd, neighbouring various businesses and services including Mitre 10, Placemakers, Helensville Plumbers & Supplies, Suzuki Bikesport, and Firestone Tyres, and with residential dwellings on the eastern side.

"The property is in one of the West Auckland growth areas and sees 7000 cars pass it daily, making it very attractive for developers interested in the retail, residential, childcare or industrial sectors," says de Zwart.

The property is located approximately 45kms from Auckland CBD and about 40kms west of Albany Town Centre.

"State Highway 16 passes through the town connecting it to Kumeu and Westgate in the south and Kaukapakapa to the north east, making its location desirable as a connector," says Smith.

Access to the site is via a right of way off Mill Rd and provides a wide road frontage of 75m. The property sits on the southern side of Mill Rd, a main thoroughfare into Helensville Town Centre, and has a prominent road front position.

"Helensville is on the cusp of change. We seldom see sites of this calibre become available to the market, with such development potential, especially with the consideration of new zonings under the Auckland Unitary Plan," de Zwart points out.

The zoning is split between retail, dwellings and industrial and offers an usually large range of permitted activities. It is designated to become Town Centre and Light Industry under the Unitary Plan.

"The objective of a Town Centre zoning is to create a network of centres which are the focus of commercial, residential, community and civic activities for the surrounding areas as Auckland grows up and out, with its projected population increase," says Smith.

The Town Centre Zone applies to suburban centres throughout Auckland, the satellite centre of Warkworth and Pukekohe, and the rural towns of Helensville and Wellsford. These centres are typically located on main arterial roads which provide good public transport access.

The site's other zoning, Light Industrial, provides for general warehousing activities this includes light manufacturing, production, logistics, storage and transport.

It allows light industrial activities to locate and function productively within it and avoids activities that may diminish the efficiency and functionality of the area. This can include convenience retail that serves the local worker population, trade suppliers, service stations, motor vehicle sales and garden centres.

"The fact that the site offers two different zonings opens it up to a massive array of opportunities with a developer or owner-occupier being able to carve out exactly what they need out of it," says Smith.

"Helensville retail, industrial and residential developments will benefit positively in capital gains, from strong growth of neighbouring suburbs, including Kumeu, Huapai and Riverhead which together are anticipated to grow by 9200 dwellings and 3600 jobs," de Zwart points out.

"Future urban land in Whenuapai and Red Hills together about 20,000 dwellings and 9700 jobs anticipated.

In total, the North West can expect around 29,000 dwellings and 13,300 jobs over the next 30 years," he says.