Strathmill – the latest exciting property development in the beautiful Orewa community. The stunning architecturally designed master planned development features high quality, more affordable urban designed homes.
Strathmill will consist of 433 pre-designed resource consented homes on a 24 hectare live zoned residential site, comprising 424 standalone homes, 7 terrace homes and 2 duplexes.
On offer are single and double level standalone homes on different size sections with a range of 2 to 5 bedroom configurations and parking solutions, including garages and/or parking pads. In addition, on-street parking spaces have been included in the development to cater for guests and additional vehicles.
Strathmill meets Auckland’s need for well designed, more affordable housing with homes generally priced below the average house price in the Hibiscus Coast area. This means it will be easier for first home buyers to get a foothold in the Orewa community.
Roads and Transport
An exciting future awaits with the construction of a new public road network compromising 11 new public roads and two upgraded intersections to keep the community moving.
Orewa’s Strathmill will offer significant positive benefits by linking West Hoe Heights and Flavell Drive for pedestrians and cyclists.
Environment & Infrastructure
Taking a wider, bigger-picture approach to environmental, residential, roading and infrastructure development, Strahtmill enables positive outcomes for today’s community and future residents of the district and is proud to contribute an additional development sum of $6.7M to fund parks and infrastructure upgrades.
Beyond this, significant improvements in regeneration of streams through riparian planting and protection of large red wood trees will be undertaken and improve the amenity value and quality of life for all residents in the area.
FAQ
What is Strathmill and what will the development look like?
Strathmill is a stunning architecturally designed master planned development featuring high quality, more affordable urban designed homes. Single and double level homes with a range of 2 to 5 bedroom configurations are planned on different size sections with parking solutions including garages and/or parking pads.
Strathmill will consist of 433 pre-designed resource consented homes on a 24 hectar live zoned residential site, comprising 424 standalone homes, 7 terrace homes and 2 duplexes.
What is a master planned development?
A master planned development is a meticulously designed and carefully executed approach to creating residential subdivisions. In such developments, the homes are pre-designed and consented, ensuring that they are built according to the approved design plans. This process ensures a high level of consistency and quality throughout the development.
One of the key benefits of master planned developments is the provision of variety in form and typology of homes. These developments offer a range of housing options, catering to different needs and lifestyles. From compact homes suitable for first-time buyers or retirees to spacious houses accommodating large families, the master plan includes a diverse mix of housing types to suit a wide range of residents.
Furthermore, the integration of landscape design plays a significant role in master planned developments. The design incorporates green spaces creating a harmonious balance between nature and built environments. The careful arrangement of homes around these green spaces enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of the development and provides residents with access to enjoyable outdoor spaces.
The master planning process takes into account the existing topography of the land. By leveraging the change in topography, the masterplan creates an interesting and varied streetscape. The careful placement of homes, streets, and public spaces takes advantage of the natural contours of the land, resulting in a visually appealing and unique neighbourhood.
In terms of housing composition, the masterplan primarily consists of standalone houses, which account for 98% of the development, catering to a range of household sizes. This emphasis on standalone houses provides residents with privacy, a sense of ownership, and the opportunity to create their own distinct living spaces.
In conclusion, a master planned development offers a wide variety of choices for individuals and families, from first home buyers to large families and retirees. The pre-designed and consented homes ensure consistency and quality, while the integration of landscape design and the consideration of topography result in attractive and varied streetscapes. This thoughtful approach to urban design creates a vibrant and inclusive community, accommodating diverse lifestyles and meeting the needs of residents across different stages of life.
What solutions are in place for parking in the development?
Homes in Strathmill are designed with garages and/or parking pads. In addition, on-street parking spaces have been included in the development to cater for guests and additional vehicles.
How will traffic issues be resolved?
Orewa’s Strathmill development will boost the area’s infrastructure through the construction of a new public road network compromising 11 new public roads and two upgraded intersections.
How will public transport be upgraded?
The new public road network will provide better connectivity to improve traffic flows to the area which currently has poor pedestrian and cyclist connectivity – so Strathmill will have significant positive benefits of linking West Hoe Heights and Flavell Drive for pedestrians, cyclists, and potentially for public transport by providing a new route through the site.
How will stormwater systems be upgraded to meet demand?
Investment by the development company to improve community infrastructure from stormwater enhancements to reserve developments
How will wastewater systems be upgraded to meet demand?
Along with local infrastructure upgrades, an additional development contribution of $6.7M paid by the development company which is levied by Local Government to be used to fund parks and infrastructure.
Will Strathmill be at risk of flooding in an extreme weather event?
The engineering design includes extensive flood modelling and confirms that Strathmill is not at risk of flooding in an extreme weather event.
The development is in accordance with Auckland Council design standards for new subdivisions. These standards are significantly more robust than has historically been the case, as evidence in some more established areas with recent flooding.
What protection and restoration is in place for the environment?
Significant improvements in regeneration of streams through riparian planting and extensive landscaping will be undertaken and improve the amenity value and quality of life for all residents in the area
FAQ
Does Orewa need more affordable housing?
MP for North Shore Simon Watts said in the House in supporting the legislation in 2021 that:
“A significant proportion of the feedback that I had was from young people within my community of the North Shore. These are young people who are struggling to afford to buy their first home, they are struggling to find a home to rent, and they are hopeful in terms of being able to participate in the homeownership process, as have many generations before them, but the reality is that this is a significant challenge. It’s a significant challenge that has faced our country for a period of time, and I think while there is no silver bullet in terms of solutions, the ability for both sides of this House to work together to put in place actions that will make and support this process and support the futures of our young people in particular is, I think, a good thing.”
In September 2022, the medium density residential standards (MDRS) for specified urban areas including Orewa was mandated under the Resource Management Act to enable a wider variety of housing choice for thousands of Kiwis desperate to buy quality affordable housing.
Oscar Sims – the Labour Party’s candidate vying for the Auckland Central seat at this year’s election, is a spokesman for the Coalition for More Homes and a leading advocate of affordable housing in Auckland, has said increased housing in Ōrewa with a range of different sizes would allow more Aucklanders to choose the sort of housing that worked for them.
He said the coalition supported the provision of more housing supply, and thought it was unfair for Orewa residents to “lock out” potential future residents.
“The beach is a big part of Kiwi culture, and we don’t think it’s fair that existing residents can lock potential future residents out of living in desirable areas – not everyone can afford a large house,” Sims said.
He said housing developments in greenfield areas like Ōrewa were more infrastructure intensive, but the best way to relieve this pressure in the future was to support more developments that made better use of existing infrastructure.
What was Covid Fast Track process intended for and what are the application requirements?
Strathmill consenting is proceeding under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020 and has met the purpose and criteria for access.
This Act provides for a short-term consenting process to fast track projects that can boost employment and economic recovery. Applications for resource consents and notices of requirement needed for these projects can be made directly to the Environmental Protection Authority for consideration and decision by an expert consenting panel.
A project can only access the fast-track process if the Minister for the Environment (and the Minister of Conservation if the project is in the coastal marine area) considers it meets the purpose and criteria of the Act by providing jobs and investment in a way that promotes the sustainable management of natural and physical resources.
There is no requirement for public or limited notification of applications for resource consents or notices of requirement lodged with the EPA under the Act. However, a panel appointed to consider the applications must, before making a decision, invite comments from people and organisations listed in the Act.
These people and groups include:
• specific Ministers
• relevant iwi authorities
• relevant Treaty of Waitangi settlement entities
• the relevant unitary or regional and district (or city) councils
• government departments (Department of Conservation, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga)
• adjacent landowners and occupiers
• specific industry and advocacy groups such as the Environmental Defence
Society, Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society, and Business New Zealand Incorporated.
The Minister for the Environment may also direct a panel to invite comments from specific people and groups before making their decision on an application. These people and groups are named in the referral orders.
A panel may invite comments from any other person it considers appropriate.
Is the project economically viable and will funders be interested?
After intensive consultation and review, Geotechnic reports confirmed that the proposed site is suitable for residential development. The financial projections are positive and expert, industry funders are enthusiastic in proceeding with Strathmill.
When will construction start?
Strathmill will be developed in stages with civil construction expected to commence late in 2023. The construction of homes will commence from January 2025.
The Developer
The Developer is a trusted residential land specialist and one of New Zealand’s most award winning developers having won multiple NZIA awards for both Urban Design and Architecture. Dedicated to quality and delivery, the Developer has proudly delivered over 1000 sections and has another 1000 underway.
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