Hamilton airport precinct filling fast

Ten hectares are available in the Titanium Park Western Precinct, by Hamilton Airport. Photo / Supplied

With four sites sold or under contract, less than 50 per cent of the Titanium Park Western Precinct remains available, say developers.

Located beside Hamilton Airport, the Western Precinct is being delivered by an Auckland-based developer, whose shareholding comprises McConnell Property and Todd Property.

McConnell Property general manager Nigel Richards, says it is attracting interest internationally due to a pivotal location and business-friendly zoning.

Following completion of a $4.5m roundabout, the Western Precinct has blended commercial and light industrial spaces for some of the country's fastest growing businesses, he points out.

"We're taking calls from businesses who depend on being well-connected to transport routes and airport flights; they need cost-effective flexible properties from which to expand and accelerate their operations."

The 22-ha Precinct is at the junction of State Highway 3 and 21; it is 2km from the national Fieldays Centre at Mystery Creek; and serves as a natural transport hub with State Highway 1 and Waikato Expressway nearby.

"There is a clear benefit for freight and logistics businesses in particular, with the adjoining airport infrastructure," says Richards. "Occupiers and tenants know that with potential for direct air-side access, they can enjoy the benefits of airport connectivity now or in the future."

According to publicity material released by the developer, both air-side and highway frontage lots have been planned to ensure options and ease for occupiers. One advantage of the Park is that lot boundaries are flexible and can be customised to meet business needs for sites ranging from 2500sq m to 5ha.

There are no development contributions and the sites are zoned for a range of business uses, including industry, transport and freight, warehousing, manufacturing, logistics and aviation. Work is well under way, with a key spine road expected to be completed in September. Natural gas is being reticulated from southern Hamilton.

Richards says the international packaging and recycling business Visy has secured a significant 8.5ha landholding, where it plans to invest $100m in a new packaging plant.

The 3ha facility will reputedly be the second-largest covered building in the Waikato once completed.

Richards sees this as testament to the connected nature of the site.

"We're delighted Visy has chosen the Western Precinct in Titanium Park for its second packaging plant in the New Zealand market. Their move here highlights the site's strategic location as a central point between Auckland, Hamilton and the Port of Tauranga providing a population catchment of between 1-2m people."

The arrival of Visy is expected to generate 75 jobs and the continuing expansion of the Western Precinct is set to deliver significant growth for the region. Richards credits the Waipa District Council for being particularly supportive of the development and instrumental in streamlining processes.

He says every aspect of the Precinct - including the zoning; local amenity; infrastructure; ease of access; flexibility around lot sizes and value for money - has been designed to meet the needs of business.