Whitianga Town Centre upgrade moves into detailed design phase

The detailed design focuses on both below ground infrastructure – our storm water and wastewater pipes – and the streetscape as well as planning for specific areas around the town.

In our Council’s 2015-2025 Long Term Plan we have $3.4M over the next four years allocated towards the Town Centre Upgrade. Additional funding will also come out of existing budgets set aside for infrastructure renewal works needed in Whitianga already.

Once the detailed design is finalised, a report will go to Council to approve the work to go ahead.

There will be a “navigation theme” based on the links between Kupe and Captain Cook, and the upgrade will include the Esplanade and the linkages between it and the Albert Street shops to develop an integrated Town Centre.

Over summer 2015-16 concept designs for the Town Centre upgrade were taken around the town. "The feedback we received over summer about the plans was extremely positive with the over-riding comment being that we should get on with it as soon as possible," says Allan Tiplady, our Area Manager for Mercury Bay.

All the work would be staged over the next few years. The third stage, depicted in one of the three concept plans, shows Whitianga Wharf along the Esplanade area, with the boat/trailer overflow parking moving further north, closer to the wharf, and a progressive series of play areas along the Esplanade. While detailed plans have yet to be deveoped for this playground concept, discussions so far include the possibility of a planted 'dune' playscape.

We want to ensure the majority of work is completed by 2019 to tie in with the 250 year commemorations since Captain Cook landed at Mercury Bay.

To view all the concept plans and find out more about the project click here.

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