A $1 billion residential, tourism and recreational development is being proposed for just north of Hamilton.
Photo: Supplied
Te Awa Lakes development is situated on an old quarry that is bordered by Waikato River and the new Waikato Expressway.
Perry Group, which owns the 62ha site, wants to build 850 homes set within man-made lakes and parkland.
It also plans a mix of recreational and commercial, along with tourist and cultural attractions.
The company's chair, Simon Perry, said the five-year plan was to create a gateway to the city that is a destination for visitors, will help towards addressing the city's housing needs and strengthen the connection to the river.
Chief executive Richard Coventry said Te Awa Lakes was something the company had been thinking about for a long time.
"We want to create a real sense of arrival in Hamilton that demonstrates our river is at the heart of our identity."
The site is currently zoned for industrial use but the company needs the Hamilton City Council to rezone to allow for the project to go ahead.
It has submitted a Request for Plan Change to the council.
Mr Coventry said industrial development is not right for a riverside location of such importance to the city.
He said work could start as early as next month if the council changes the site's zoning.