Drury, or previously called Dreary Drury that was once a sign on Auckland’s Southern Motorway, is undergoing a transformation as earthmovers reshape the township for housing developments and new road infrastructure. The old village shops are also set to be demolished to accommodate a new bridge over the railway.
Auckland Council is actively working to prepare for the anticipated influx of 60,000 residents expected to move to Drury over the next 20 years, as outlined in the Southern Rural Strategy.
Drury is positioned strategically within the “golden triangle” of Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga, making it an attractive location for both commercial and residential developers.
According to Auckland councillor for Franklin Ward, Andy Baker, some locals resent the signs of progress. Some residents are also concerned that Drury may turn into a diverging urban area and that the council will struggle to finance the necessary roads, pipes, and other infrastructure needed to support the new developments.
“There’s people who don’t want to see development; they want their lives to be left alone,” Baker said.
“Contrary to that, as we’ve seen here in Drury, there’ve been some people who have made a lot of money out of having the opportunity to sell their little piece of paradise to developers, and we are talking many, many, millions of dollars.”
Southern Rural Strategy is Auckland Council’s comprehensive plan that aims to promote growth while also establishing a healthy environment and vibrant communities in the southern rural region.
The strategy encompasses the entire Franklin ward and also includes certain rural areas from the Howick and Papakura local board regions.
For Baker, it should make it clear to developers that it’s not just about them and that both councils and the central government bear significant costs for infrastructure, underscoring the ongoing tensions between developers and councils regarding financial contributions.
The Southern Rural Strategy is still in draft form.