Although work was expected to start this month, chairman of the council’s infrastructure committee, Simon Reid, said it still needed final costing and approval before going ahead, with timelines and costs potentially changing.

However, work has started on nearby projects, including a 20-storey house Development of Kāinga Ora on Pearce Dr, east of the roundabout and earthworks west of the site.

Reid could not provide more information about the proposed commercial development to the west, other than to say the properties are privately owned and “are being prepared for private development, which may include a supermarket and shopping center.”

The land is zoned light industrial.

The council’s website says the roundabout will allow for the development of a new supermarket and shopping center by including access to this development on Springs Flat Rd.

Reid said the cost of the project had increased since the central Government’s funding application in late 2022, with the detailed project now requiring additional land, asphalt paving and more flood storage. Costs have also increased due to inflation over the past two years, he said.

“The Springs Flat roundabout projects still require resource consent and all costs to be established before final council approval is obtained and a contractor can be appointed, so the timelines and costs on our website are approximate.

“It could change in the coming months,” he said.

As the land is prone to flooding, the project includes water storage by developing a detention pond in the south-west corner of the roundabout and lowering part of the grass berm between Waitaua Creek and Winger Cres.

Reid said the proposed roundabout would allow a more direct connection to the state highway and link to other projects such as the T2/bus lanes on Kamo Rd and capacity improvements on SH1.

When work begins, it will be done to minimize the impact on drivers, including building on the east side of the roundabout first, with freeway traffic directed to that area as the west side is built, he said.

The council’s part of the project will be debt-funded, with development contributions collected from developers over time to offset the majority of the debt, including a direct contribution from the private developer west of SH1, Reid said.

Meanwhile, Kāinga Ora’s 20-home development on Pearce Dr in Kamo East is underway and expected to be completed in the first half of 2025, said Acting Regional Director – Northland Jo Haunui.

The project was earlier listed as “pending” on Kāinga Ora’s interactive website, but the site was updated after The lawyer of the North he asked.

The 20 detached houses range from two bedrooms to five bedrooms.

Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.