Waterfront revamp: 10-Year Plan approval

Wellington’s three-year Waterfront Development Plan has been approved as part of Wellington City Council’s 10-Year Plan deliberations. It features:
• a transformation of Frank Kitts Park
• a new Chinese Garden
• a new children’s play area
• a new helicopter facility on Queens Wharf
• upgraded public space in the North Kumutoto area
• extensive wharf repiling.

Artist’s images of some of the proposed improvements are available on request.

Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown says exciting improvements have been agreed.

up to $11 million has been committed to the development plan over the next three financial years. “This is a big step forward for the waterfront – especially the upgrade works on Frank Kitts Park and the Kumutoto area.

“The number of people using the waterfront is rapidly growing – especially given the rapid population increase in the CBD – and so the waterfront needs investment to keep it attractive and to meet the needs of the thousands of locals and visitors who use it every day.”

Mayor Wade-Brown says Frank Kitts Park is “tired and pretty much built the wrong way round.

“The children’s play area can be far better and bigger. Also, at the moment you can’t actually see the sea from most of the park. Its existing design dates back to the days of the waterfront motor racing – so it features somewhat forbidding ramparts that cut it off from the harbour. We can make it much better both for casual visitors and big events.”

Under the development plan, the “long-awaited” Chinese Garden will be built at the southern end of Frank Kitts Park – subject to successful fundraising by the Wellington Chinese Garden Society. The cost of materials, and the shipping of the materials from China, would be met by the Chinese Government and Wellington’s Chinese sister cities Beijing and Xiamen.

Deputy Mayor Justin Lester, who chairs the Governance, Finance and Planning Committee which is considering the proposed 10-Year Plan, says the waterfront plans will “add even more sparkle to the jewel in Wellington’s crown”.

“The Frank Kitts upgrade was first conceived in 2001. It was agreed by Council in 2007 amid widespread support. I am looking forward to this project finally getting under way. It will help open our harbour, create a much improved playground for the city's children and a Chinese Garden that reflects the relationship Wellington has with our Chinese community.”

The development plan spending, of up to $11 million over the next three years, is subject to formal Council approval next month

ENDS

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