Yesterday marked a significant milestone for one of Auckland's most substantial housing developments - a project Simpson Grierson has supported since its inception - with a sod-turning ceremony officially launching earthworks at Beachlands South.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, and project partners took spades to the ground to mark the beginning of construction on this 255-hectare, multibillion-dollar development.

The ceremony signals the start of two years of earthworks on the first 37 hectares of the site, where a new primary and secondary school, village centre, housing and community facilities are planned.

From plan change to reality

Our work included a landmark decision in December 2024, when Independent Hearing Commissioners granted the private plan change application, which was subsequently given the green light by the Environment Court following settlement of appeals.

Planning & Environment Partner Bill Loutit, who attended yesterday's ceremony, says reaching this milestone reflects more than six years of complex planning and legal work.

"This is a genuinely significant moment. Seeing the first earthworks begin on a project of this scale and ambition.

“The extensive negotiation and collaboration required to navigate the plan change process and address concerns from Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and the community has been substantial, but it's enabled a development that will deliver real benefits for Auckland."

The development will take 10 to 15 years to complete and will deliver up to 5,000 new homes of mixed density, alongside substantial community infrastructure.

Beachlands South will provide a local centre with over 2,000 employment opportunities, schools, cafes, shopping and community facilities. The development will also include 88 hectares of ecologically protected areas, a coastal walkway and an extensive network of walking and cycling paths.

A first for Auckland

As noted in our December 2024 article, this plan change was significant for several reasons:

• It is the first plan change under the Auckland Unitary Plan to enable development outside the rural-urban boundary
• It was the first private plan change where the effects of greenhouse gas emissions from a development were considered, following a law change
• The scale of the development and the comprehensive, world-class planning involved, which included international expertise.

Senior Associate Rachael Abraham, who worked alongside Mr Loutit on the project, says: "The fact that Independent Commissioners granted this plan change outside the rural-urban boundary demonstrates the exceptional quality of the proposal and its alignment with Auckland's urban development goals.

"Sustainability has been embedded into the design from the beginning, with 36 per cent of the site dedicated to native forest and ecological planting. This approach to sequestering carbon, combined with the development's focus on enabling people to live locally with strong public transport connections, reflects the kind of thinking required to meet our climate obligations."

Ngāti Tai Ki Tāmaki blessed the site before yesterday's ceremony.

Get in touch

If you would like to chat to us about this development or its implications for urban planning in Auckland, please get in touch with one of our experts.