Milldale is a 300-hectare structure planned and master planned project which started in 2014 to accommodate 4500 new dwellings. The development was given live zoning through the Unitary Plan submissions with a Wainui Precinct overlay. The development includes a town centre, restored stream corridors, reserves, schools, a retirement village, and local neighbourhood centres. 

Woods Involvement 

Woods will be involved in this project over the next 8-10 years delivering various stages of the development to the Auckland market. Woods provided Engineering, Survey, Planning and Urban Design services for the project.

From the outset of the development, Woods have successfully obtained multiple earthworks and streamworks consents for large-scale enabling works (up to 75 hectares in area over two earthworks seasons), stream reclamation, and associated mitigation and offset works. This required in-depth review and interpretation of multiple specialist reports including urban design, ecology, geotechnical, stormwater, and civil engineering input to develop the Assessment of Environmental Effects. Obtaining consents for the stream works involved filling smaller stream tributaries, putting together a significant enhancement package for the primary tributaries within the site, and restoring watercourses in some of North Auckland’s premier regional parks.

Alongside the earthworks and stormwater consents, Woods are responsible for obtaining all the necessary subdivision and land use consents to facilitate the various subdivision stages, commercial activities, and associated housing. To speed up the delivery of housing and commercial activities, Woods are involved in planning and consenting the ultimate build outcome on the super-lots and shape the form of the local centres. 

Woods has continued to work with Healthy Waters and the regulatory team through the various development stages and detailed design. The Stormwater Management Plan was adopted for the entire future urban zone. Woods prepared the Network Discharge Consent, led by Auckland Council, under Chapter H of the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan.  

The Stormwater Management plan adopted a water-sensitive design with a low-impact treatment train approach to reduce environmental impacts on the receiving environment. Woods developed a catchment-wide 1D-2D flood model which included the stream and river network, model validation, and calibration using available data from long and short-term flow gauge monitors located within the Orewa River. The team also completed stream  classification of watercourses in agreement with Auckland Council, and supported by ecological assessments.  

Flood model scenarios were developed with and without climate change rainfall events to understand flood risk and hazard across the catchment in conjunction with various  coastal/tidal boundaries. Flood mitigation was achieved through designing the stream bank in a way that improved  conveyance while maintaining the existing stream bed and low-flow channel. This also included design of hydraulic structures such as bridges and culverts, while taking into account fish passages and green outfalls. 

Challenges

The significant scale of this project was the most glaring challenge. However, on top of that, the client asked for us to produce at least 400 lots per year. 

This then meant we needed to deliver this quantity at a rapid rate. Alongside that, large infrastructure projects such as new roads, new bridges, new sewer pipes, and new water mains needed to be completed to match the rate of development and enable housing supply.

With Woods’ history of large scale projects, collaborative multi discipline environment, and our ability to form vital relationship has allowed us to successfully manage this development. 

Woods performance

To date, over 1000 lots have been completed, and the capital expenditure value for this large development is in the order of $1.4 billion, with all assessments and plans provided within the agreed timeframes and budget.