Multi-award-winning Millbrook Resort has been granted resource consent for its $50m 'Dalgleish Farm' development that will see it develop a neighbouring farm property into a new golf course interspersed with 42 sections for high-end residential homes.
The development will add nine new golf holes to Millbrook's current world-class 27-hole offering, enabling the resort to operate two full 18-hole courses.
Signal Management Group is continuing its 12 year relationship with Millbrook as project and construction manager for the Dalgleish Farm project.
Initial site clearance is underway and, under a separate consent, work has almost been completed on shifting the Arrow Irrigation Pipe to a new location to make way for the development.
Groundworks include a raft of ecological and landscape enhancements, the first land titles should go live in late 2020, and once the new golf course is constructed and 'grown-in' it should be playable by 2021.
In the initial earthworks phase, half a million cubic metres of material will be moved within the site. A 'zero cut to fill' balance means all work will be carried out with material contained within the farm area, with topsoil stripped and stored before being re-spread once earthworks are complete.
The new 36-hole format at Millbrook s been described as a 'game changer' for the resort, effectively adding 100% golf capacity with two fully operational 18-hole courses that can be operated simultaneously.
It's being welcomed by the growing number of Millbrook Country Club members who will be able to play an ever-changing private members' course on a daily basis, as well as another for tourists and locals.
It's also good news for the long-term future of the New Zealand Open, currently hosted at Millbrook in conjunction with The Hills golf course.
The Open has always planned to move to a three-course model, similar to international Dunhill Links and AT&T events, and having two courses available at Millbrook would enable this goal to be achieved.
The large upper plateau contains 24 sites boasting elevated panoramic views over fairways and pastoral lands to the wider basin. The lower slopes are home to a further 18 sites with north-facing outlooks over an enhanced Mill Stream and the last of the stunning new golf holes. Most of the sites are expected to sell for over $1million each.
Parts of Mill Stream will be widened to create larger waterways and enhanced wetlands. The new development will retain a rural, agrarian style with over 20 hectares of working farmland retained for grazing and retention of a historic woolshed.
The original 1860's farmhouse will also stay on the land, with some sympathetic additions.
