Drury site poised for urban growth

The property at 6 Fitzgerald Rd, about 600m from Drury's town centre, is identified by a blue border. Photo / Supplied

A high-profile corner site for sale near the Drury town centre offers developers and land bankers a chance to acquire a landholding in one of Auckland's key growth areas, say brokers.

Positioned at the natural gateway to Drury's largest future development sites, the Future Urban-zoned property at 6 Fitzgerald Rd is suited to future commercial, retail or residential development, subject to council approval.

Members of Colliers International's site sales team James Appleby, Josh Coburn and Cherry Higginson, are marketing the 1.21ha freehold property for sale by deadline private treaty closing at 4pm on April 19, unless sold earlier.

Appleby says the sale represents an excellent opportunity to acquire a prominent site with commercial potential in Auckland's new centre of activity.

"Located just 34km south of the CBD, Drury is earmarked for population growth of 30,000 over the next 10 years, with significant development planned to generate employment in the area," he says.

"The Fitzgerald Rd property is ideally positioned to capitalise on the area's growth. Located on the corner of Waihoehoe Rd, it has massive exposure to two of Drury's main arterial routes.

"The site is about 600m from Drury's busy town centre and 550m from Kiwi Property's 51.3ha development site, where a new urban centre will be built over the next 20 years.

"It is also within 3km of Stevenson Group's 300ha Drury South development, which will create 19,000 jobs and contribute an annual $2.3 billion to the regional economy."

Kiwi Property's nearby town centre development will include commercial and retail properties as well as high, medium and low-density housing, all within walking distance of public transport.

Stevenson's development will comprise a world-class 158ha business park catering to logistics, manufacturing and commercial operations, as well as 45ha of housing and 95ha of public parks and reserves.

Appleby says the property for sale is set against the backdrop of the majestic Drury Hills.

"A number of reserves and bush walks are nearby, while Drury Village has sports clubs, schools, a library, cafes and shops, all of which enhance the area's family-oriented lifestyle atmosphere.

"Nearby Papakura and Pukekohe have large shopping centres, restaurants, parks and recreation facilities, including Pukekohe Golf Club."

The wider South Auckland area is the city's largest future urban growth location, with about 5300ha of land identified for urban development.

"Auckland's rapid growth has made the city's southern urban-rural fringe the focus of intense development and speculation in recent years," Appleby says.

"The Auckland Unitary Plan recognises the area as key to the city's growth, with more than 42,000 new homes expected to be built in the area over the next 30 years.

"Tens of millions of dollars has already been committed to infrastructure spending in the Pukekohe, Karaka, Drury, Paerata and Pokeno areas. This investment has led to Pukekohe becoming the fastest growing district in Auckland."

The property for sale is zoned Future Urban – a transitional zone applied to land located on the periphery of existing urban areas within the rural-urban boundary.

Appleby says the zone allows for rural activities until a plan change application is made.

"An application from major landholders in the area is imminent, giving the new owner of 6 Fitzgerald Road the chance to either actively or passively participate in the growth story of Drury."