10 minute read
Motorway widening drives forward
Work is advancing on widening of the Southern Motorway from Papakura to Drury and when completed will ease traffic congestion.
Motorway widening between Papakura and Drury is a significant milestone for the NZ Upgrade Programme (NZUP) which is investing $6.8 billion in road, public transport, walking and cycling infrastructure.
This section of work, begun early 2021, is the first stage of the SH1 Papakura to Drury South project which delivers a range of transport choices by providing a third lane in each direction, an adjacent path for walking and people on bikes, wide shoulders for future bus services and improved local road connections across the motorway.
The project is a key part of Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) developing a more resilient transport system aimed at improving travel choices and to facilitate growth and economic prosperity in south Auckland, where 120,000 people are expected to make their home in the next 30 years.
It will also treat one hundred percent of all storm water runoff from the motorway, and the additional lanes being provided are being investigated for potential use for T3 and/or freight.
The first stage of construction, awarded to Fulton Hogan, has been covering works within the existing motorway boundaries from Papakura interchange to the BP motorway service centre north of Otuwairoa (Slippery) Creek.
It will extend capacity and also includes the replacement of the Park Estate Road overbridge, and a new noise wall on the eastern side of SH1 between Papakura interchange and the overbridge.
The noise wall coming along this southbound side of the motorway (between Beach Road and Park Estate Road) is being constructed using steel columns and concrete panels to match the existing Papakura and Takanini style noise walls (see below) north of the Papakura interchange.
The Puna colour scheme, taken from the Toi Maori palette by Aalto Colour, will be used for the new noise wall.
As work progresses several motorway bridges will be replaced, being raised or widened to allow for extra lanes underneath, provide for the electrification of the Papakura to Pukekohe rail line, and allow for oversize vehicles as well as response to flooding risks.
By end of August 2021 construction of a haul road was well underway alongside the southbound lanes with trees and other vegetation removed. The haul road was being built from both the Papakura Interchange, Beach Road end (pictured) and the Park Estate Road bridge end of the 1.5 km site.
By September 2021 night crews had made good progress northwards along the central median of the motorway, stripping grass and top soil, digging down and then building up the subgrade to maximise road strength.
When stage one has been completed works to follow will include: • A walking and cycling pathway along the western side of the motorway • Interchange improvements at Papakura (a new southbound on-ramp) and Drury (to allow for railway electrification and additional rail lines) • The replacement of the Bremner Road (Jesmond) overbridge and the Ngakoroa
Stream bridge.
CASE STUDY: TRANSFORMING CASE STUDY: TRANSFORMING A CLASSIC KIWI HOMEA CLASSIC KIWI HOME
What: A 90’s build brick and tile home that never had code of compliance, turned into a modern open plan entertainer’s dream with code of compliance. Where: Hunua, South Auckland Original Layout: 274.6m2 home that had a tiny kitchen and walls at funny angles. The home had 4 bedrooms with a bathroom and ensuite. New Layout: Kitchen space extended and interior walls removed to create an open plan main living and dining space. Master suite expanded to include a large dressing room and ensuite. Scullery added and multiple outdoor living spaces. Extension size: Kitchen extension of 4m2 plus decks of 110m2
The Interior Solutions: The new layout included extending the A 90’s build brick and tile home that never had code of compliance, turned into a modern open plan entertainer’s kitchen area slightly to give them a larger kitchen and space for a scullery. By knocking out a few existing walls we acheived an open plan family space with a separate formal living room. home that had a tiny kitchen and walls at funny angles. The home had 4 bedrooms with a A new larger ensuite was created for the master bedroom by combining the existing ensuite and walk-in-wardrobe. The new ensuite has the added luxuries of a double basin vanity and a large Kitchen space extended and interior walls shower with twin shower heads. removed to create an open plan main living and dining space. Master suite expanded to include a large dressing room and ensuite. Scullery added and multiple outdoor living spaces. plus decks of 110m2 The Exterior Solutions: Externally, the house was cladded with Abodo timber to provide an attractive contrast to the existing brick. A wrap-around deck, built from composite decking, flows from the open plan living with three, separate Louvretec rooves to give outdoor entertaining options. A large outdoor fireplace was also installed together with a hot tub which looks out to the beautiful Hunua Ranges, perfectly finishing the main outdoor area. The Results: A complete home makeover, interior space reconfiguration and an extension. The home boasts a new kitchen, scullery, bathrooms, double glazing, joinery and cladding, plus additional outdoor areas. The homeowners are in love with their home again AND they have code of compliance!
The Interior Solutions: The new layout included extending the kitchen area slightly to give them a larger kitchen and space for a scullery. By knocking out a few existing walls we acheived an open plan family space with a separate formal living room. A new larger ensuite was created for the master bedroom by combining the existing ensuite and walk-in-wardrobe. The new ensuite has the added luxuries of a double basin vanity and a large shower with twin shower heads. The Exterior Solutions: Externally, the house was cladded with Abodo timber to provide an attractive contrast to the existing brick. A wrap-around deck, built from composite decking, flows from the open plan living with three, separate Louvretec rooves to give outdoor entertaining options. A large outdoor fireplace was also installed together with a hot tub which looks out to the beautiful Hunua Ranges, perfectly finishing the main outdoor area. The Results: A complete home makeover, interior space reconfiguration and an extension. The home boasts a new kitchen, scullery, bathrooms, double glazing, joinery and cladding, plus additional outdoor areas. The homeowners are in love with their home again AND they have code of compliance!
After: After: The New Interior Kitchen and Walk-in-Wardrobe. The New Interior Kitchen and Walk-in-Wardrobe.
New extension floor plan
The Project: Our clients came to us as they realized their 90’s Our clients came to us as they realized their 90’s built home had never achieved code of compliance. They also felt built home had never achieved code of compliance. They also felt the layout of the home was dated and didn’t work for their lifestyle. the layout of the home was dated and didn’t work for their lifestyle. The Brief: To transform the home into a palatial dream home with To transform the home into a palatial dream home with a more modern layout with outdoor flow. A new design was needed a more modern layout with outdoor flow. A new design was needed to expand the kitchen, living and outdoor areas, plus create a more to expand the kitchen, living and outdoor areas, plus create a more luxurious master bedroom with ensuite and walk in wardrobe. luxurious master bedroom with ensuite and walk in wardrobe. The Exterior Transformed: The Exterior Transformed: The House with Outdoor Living Area and Extension The House with Outdoor Living Area and Extension
Smith & Sons Franklin, owned and operated by Smith & Sons Franklin, owned and operated by Lane and Melissa van den BrinkLane and Melissa van den Brink
Before: The Existing Interior Kitchen and Outdoor Areas
Abodo timber to provide an attractive contrast to the existing brick.
A home to call your nest!
Every homeowner wants to enjoy a feeling of pride and comfort when driving up to their home not just for the first time, but every time. And, that’s exactly what the team at Homes by Nest works hard to create – even the name reflects that sense of warmth and snugness which envelops homeowners when they walk through the front door into their very own living space.
SHOW HOME 77 Harriet Johnston Drive, Pokeno Open 11am – 3pm Thursday – Sunday
Created by Bru and Linda Goldfinch over the past couple of years, Homes By Nest is built on their belief that a team effort of appreciated sub-contractors and suppliers will deliver nothing but top quality, long-lasting family homes with features which continue to please year after year.
“Our end goal is for clients to enjoy their family home as much as we enjoy ours,” Linda says. “We want them to be completely satisfied in their decision to build with Homes By Nest and to be absolutely delighted with the home we give them,”
After spending 12 years as a new home consultant with various building companies throughout Papakura, Franklin and Christchurch, Linda says she and Bru were given the opportunity to purchase a building company franchise in Christchurch.
“However, with a change of circumstances, we made the decision to create Homes By Nest within our local stamping ground of Papakura and Franklin.
“Being locals, and having operated in this area for a long time, the decision was easy especially as we had already built up excellent contacts in the construction world, many of whom we consider good friends.” Today Bru and Linda are enthusiastic about the sub-contractors and suppliers who work alongside them.
Their company tagline – Premium Service – Personalised Solutions – Fair Price – reflects their dedication to excellence in every quarter from initial consultation through to planning, construction, price, timeliness and more.
“We carefully consider everyone who is involved in the build project and genuinely believe that happy subbies and suppliers will ensure onsite energy is positively charged. Subsequently, the only possible outcome is the delivery of a ‘happy’, well built, long-lasting family home,” Bru says.
With Bru the first point of call for any query, whether it be meeting for an initial consult, or going through the final home check, all queries are met with complete professionalism and expertise.
“Having Linda on hand to bounce off ideas, clients benefit from a close knit team where communication is key.”
With an eye for décor and accessories, Linda also works alongside Picturebook Interiors for the all important interior design and colour schemes to finish each home with individual and personalised style. “These days new homeowners look for that special ingredient; they don’t want the ‘same old’ anymore,” she says. “Therefore, from the outset, we are intent on helping clients to get their dream home; a home which is set apart from others. We don’t believe their years of hard work should come down to the ordinary.”
Once a build project is entrusted to Homes by Nest, Bru and Linda agree it is always a pleasure to take time to talk through exactly what it is the client wants in a home and why the choice to build from scratch.
“The building of a new home should never be a chore, done properly the process should be great fun and hugely satisfying,” the pair contends. “We will ensure our customers have an enjoyable home build experience by mixing fun and professionalism. We fully engage with them throughout.
“So, if you are seeking a new home and have the time to talk, we have the time to listen. We look forward to hearing your ideas and priorities for a build, and to using our expertise to bring it all together, keeping within budget and ensuring the highest standard of finish.
“We take the responsibility of building every new home very seriously; we promise to relieve clients of stress and ensure they have fun along the way to becoming new homeowners.”
