Integrated Design and Delivery in a Coastal Marine EnvironmentStellar Projects was appointed by Kaipara District Council (KDC) to deliver a multi‑stage shared path and boardwalk project along Molesworth Drive, connecting Heather Street to the new Mangawhai Central Development. The project delivers over 1.5 kilometres of concrete shared path and approximately 420 metres of boardwalk, including a 50‑metre glulam bridge and bespoke diving platform, within a sensitive Coastal Marine Area (CMA).
Design and Environmental Outcomes
Our multidisciplinary design team delivered the project from concept through to construction drawings across all three stages. The civil design incorporated a new stormwater network discharging to the CMA, with integrated swales to improve stormwater treatment and environmental outcomes. The boardwalk design minimised coastal impacts by avoiding reclamation, reducing disturbance to the marine environment.
Planning, Consenting and Stakeholder Engagement
The planning team led all resource approval processes, coordinating specialist inputs including coastal engineering, ecology, and visual landscape assessment. Early and proactive engagement with Northland Regional Council, KDC, DOC, and the Fairy Tern Trust enabled a smooth consenting process. Despite a mid‑project change to NES freshwater standards, consents were successfully granted on a non‑notified basis, accelerating construction.
Commercial and Community Value
Our Quantity Surveying team delivered P50 and P95 cost estimates, schedules of quantities, and contract administration support. Future‑proofed stormwater design and collaboration with neighbouring landowners ensured positive community outcomes, improved drainage resilience, and strong local support for the project.
Stakeholder engagement, Planning and Consenting
Stakeholder engagement was central to the successful planning and consenting of the project. The team worked closely with key external stakeholders, including Visual Landscape Architects to address potential effects on neighbouring properties, Coastal Engineers to assess structural impacts, and Ecologists who confirmed the design was appropriate. Approvals were coordinated with the Department of Conservation (DOC) for works on their land, alongside Northland Regional Council (NRC) and Kaipara District Council (KDC). Given the sensitivity of the Coastal Marine Area (CMA), additional consultation with the Fairy Tern Trust was also undertaken.
The planning team led all resource consent processes, coordinating specialist inputs and maintaining early, proactive engagement with regulators and stakeholders. This approach enabled a smooth consenting pathway, and despite a mid‑project change to NES freshwater standards, consents were successfully granted on a non‑notified basis, accelerating construction.
