Town Centres concept priorities agreed
High level concepts for improving public spaces as part of the Paraparaumu and Waikanae town centre transformations have been ranked to reflect their priority. This will be taken into account along with other factors such as affordability, flexibility and private investment opportunities as the town centres team develop the implementation programme due early next year.
Mayor Ross Church says the ranking system is based on an assessment of high level concepts that have the greatest impact on the public space.
“In determining these rankings we’ve taken on board more than 1000 suggestions from the community and interest groups, input from our community boards, and the views of the Te Āti Awa Town Centres Working Group, focus groups and expert consultants.
“It is a challenge because for both town centres we are mindful that we need to be flexible enough to take advantage of any opportunities when they come along. If someone wants to invest in our community, but their initiative does not fit within our high level concepts, we want to be agile enough to run with that.
“Bearing in mind this is a 20-30 year vision for the town centres we have to start somewhere and this report tells us where.”
Mayor Church says that during discussions with the Waikanae community it became clear they didn’t like the concept of a shared vehicle and pedestrian space in Mahara Place. “That idea is off the table for now but detailed design of the space needs to allow flexibility for the future. The concept to upgrade Mahara Place as a more attractive public space received overwhelming support, so is still very much part of the overall plans.”
In Waikanae the projects to improve the public spaces are prioritised as follows:
- SH1 revocation
- Connection to the railway station and improved pedestrian crossing across railway station
- Upgrade of Mahara Place
- Cultural thread and integration of Whakarongotai Marae
- Upgrade of Te Moana intersection
- Ngaio Road streetscape and main street
- Realignment of Marae Lane, Omahi Street, Ngaio Road intersection
Mayor Church says the concepts for Paraparaumu were widely supported so have all stayed in the high level concepts.
In Paraparaumu the projects to improve the public spaces are prioritised as follows:
- SH1 revocation
- Coastlands and civic precinct connection
- Upgrade of Kāpiti Lights
- Iver Trask Place and Kāpiti Primary School
- Connection to transport hub
- Destination play space and landscaping Council property west of Paraparaumu Library
- Rimu Road streetscaping
- Paraparaumu town centre link road
Next steps
Mayor Church says now that the high level concepts have been ranked for improvement to public space, the next step is to work on the implementation programme and costings so that the budgets can be included in next year’s Long Term Plan.
The preferred concepts, costings and implementation plan will be presented to the two communities in March. People will be able to make comments on this stage directly into the Long Term Plan consultation process.
In addition there will be more opportunity to have a say as detailed designs are developed over the coming years.
Anyone wanting more information on the project and to view the ranked options report can visit Projects - Kāpiti Coast District Council (kapiticoast.govt.nz)
For more information contact:
Phillip Stroud, Project Manager, Tel 04 296 4823 or [email protected]
Anna Mahoney, Senior Communications Advisor, Tel 04 296 4877 or [email protected]