With work due to begin this month, council infrastructure committee chairman Simon Reid said costs and final approval still needed to be finalized before proceeding, with timescales and costs subject to change .

However, work has started on nearby projects, including a 20-home project Development of Kainga Ora on Pearce Drive, east of the roundabout, and earthworks to the west of the site.

Reid was unable to provide further information on the proposed commercial development to the west, only saying that the properties are privately owned and “are to be subject to private development which could include a supermarket and a shopping center.

The land is zoned light industrial.

The council’s website states that the roundabout will enable 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 has increased since central government’s funding request in late 2022, with the detailed design now requiring additional land, an asphalt roadway and more flood storage. Costs have also increased due to inflation over the past two years, he said.

“Springs Flat roundabout plans still require resource consent and all costs must be worked out before final council approval is obtained and a contractor can be appointed, so that timescales and costs on our website are approximate.

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

As the land is prone to flooding, the project includes water storage, providing a retention pond on the southwest corner of the roundabout and lowering part of the grass berm between Waitaua Creek and Winger Cres.

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

When work begins, it will be carried out in a way that minimizes the impact on motorists, including building first on the east side of the roundabout, with road traffic directed towards this area as construction of the roundabout progresses. west side, he said.

The council’s share 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 to the west of SH1, a Reid said.

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

The project was previously listed as “pending” on the interactive Kāinga Ora website, but the website was updated after the Defender of the North asked.

The 20 self-contained homes range from two to five bedrooms.

Denise Piper is a journalist for the health and business-focused Northern Advocate. She has more than 20 years of experience in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.