Orion Point: unlocking a peninsula

Civil EngineeringSurveyingPlanning
Harrison Grierson's Orion Point Project's resort on hillside. 14-hectare, 400-home development. 8-year project.

Nestled on the peninsula between Hobsonville and Scott Points in Tāmaki Makaurau, Orion Point is a new 22-hectare, 400-home residential development. We spoke to Harrison Grierson’s project manager, Louis Venter about working with three separate landowners and being involved in an eight-year-long project.

Back in 2017, Auckland’s western coastline looked very different from the one it does today. Hobsonville Point was beginning to take shape and improvements to State Highway 1 work had commenced. There was a demand for housing west of the city and so we began our relationship with a group of landowners led by Metlifecare who earmarked Orion Point to build their most luxurious retirement to date. Included in the mix were Jalcon and a private developer who planned three subdivisions for the site.

 ‘’The team at Harrison Grierson were excited to be part of creating the masterplan for the entire development,’’ says Louis, who believes we’ve truly unlocked the peninsula for generations of people to enjoy.  

‘’The primary components we worked on were the design and construction of two access roads, now serving as the legal road connections for three superlot developments, stormwater and wastewater solutions for the entire peninsula, and private engineering services for the Metlifecare retirement village.”

Having the opportunity to still be working on the project six years on means that the client benefits from our in-depth history and knowledge of the land and ensures continuity of service to our clients. 

‘’To see where we are now with the beginnings of a functioning and thriving residential community is very satisfying because at the end of the day that’s why we do what we do. We want to see people thriving in their communities.’’

What we did

Harrison Grierson’s team rolled out key infrastructure to service new residents including:

  • rain gardens

  • parking bays

  • streets

  • landscaping

  • footpaths

  • cycle lanes

  • stormwater and wastewater networks

  • potable water mains

  • utilities

As part of the road construction and stormwater outfalls, significant earthworks meant we needed to move over 4,250 cubic meters of material across an area of 8,500 square metres. This was moved off site with some of it going to another development as cleanfill.

Erosion and sediment controls were carefully implemented to prevent the degradation of natural habitats and the pollution of adjacent estuaries and streams. Controls included sediment retention ponds, diversion bunds, silt fences, and decanting bunds.

Stormwater management also played a crucial role in the project, with the stormwater from the access roads discharging into ecologically sensitive streams and an adjacent estuary. The design of the stormwater outlets considered the environment and incorporated design elements such as gabion baskets, riprap, and geofabrics, while preserving existing protected trees.

The project adhered to green infrastructure standards and factored in coastal hazards, floodplains, and the National Policy Statement: Freshwater Management to enhance water quality, ecosystem processes, and indigenous species within water bodies.

The development also included a new wastewater pump station, gravity mains, a rising main, and an emergency overflow to service the peninsula. Collaboration with local iwi groups ensured consideration of the receiving environment, garnering their support.

Throughout the project, all designs and drawings aligned with the objectives and policies of relevant regulations, including the Resource Management Act and Auckland Unitary Plan. Potential effects related to various aspects, such as earthworks, geotechnical matters, arboriculture, ecology, natural hazards, flooding, stormwater, and infrastructure services, were carefully mitigated.

Orion Point Project by Harrison Grierson, a 22-hectare, 400-home residential development, featuring a retirement village.
Orion Point Project by Harrison Grierson, a 22-hectare, 400-home residential development, featuring a retirement village.
Harrison Grierson's Orion Point Project's resort on hillside. 22-hectare, 400-home development. 8-year project.