Partnership Approach To Next Stage Of The Base Development

A partnership approach between Hamilton City Council and Tainui Group Holdings has
this week seen formal agreement reached and a resource consent issued for the final
stage of development at The Base.

The site, between The Base Parade and Te Kowhai Rd will be developed by Tainui
Group Holdings (TGH) over the next five years. It will contain a mix of large scale retail
space, office space, training facility, health centre and car parking.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed yesterday (27 July) agreeing how both
organisations will work together around the next stage of development, bringing to an
end around 12 months of detailed work to reach agreement.

Included in the agreement is a limit of 11,350 sq m on the amount of office space
which can be developed on the site. This office space, which is 9 percent of the total
Base development, will be spread over six buildings, and will have a three storey height
limit. In addition traffic lights at the SH1, Base Parade and Eagle Way roundabout will
be installed, significant urban design aspects and landscaping is required and a
sustainable travel plan has been agreed.

Mayor Julie Hardaker said she was pleased to see agreement reached with Tainui Group
Holdings around their final development at The Base.

“The agreement brings clarity and certainty for both parties around future development
plans there. The development sees further significant investment in our city and with it
will come economic and lifestyle benefits for Hamilton and the Waikato.”

“I am particularly pleased we have agreed to a limit on the amount of office space as
part of the next stage of The Base. This has been reduced significantly from the 30,000
sq m first proposed by TGH and allowed under the current District Plan which is now
under review. The Council’s view is that the central city is the rightful place for office space.” 

“I would like to thank Tainui Group Holdings, and Chief Executive Mike Pohio in
particular, for their commitment to working together to reach agreement on this and
their willingness to contribute in other ways to the overall area. I am pleased with the
successful and close working relationship which has now been established between us.”