Newmarket’s future – quality design, elegant shops

Newmarket has the opportunity to become a town centre associated with quality town planning and urban design, elegant shops and a vibrant street life, according to Councillor Juliet Yates.

Councillor Yates, Chairperson of the City Development Committee, speaking at a public meeting on Saturday concerning the future of Newmarket, said quality town planning and urban design were always accompanied by common features. These features were wide streets, a lack of clutter, cleanliness and freedom for pedestrians to walk and shop without the interruption of built barriers.

She said the public’s participation in Auckland City programmes that planned for the future of communities and their town centres, such as Newmarket’s Future – a framework for development, were “crucial to making these programmes a success while creating exciting places to visit, live, work and be entertained.”

“ In order to turn Newmarket into the town centre we want I believe we must focus not just on Newmarket’s future, but what can be a better future.”

Newmarket faced challenges relating to traffic flow, retail survival and the preservation of the town centre’s character. “To solve these problems we have to think not only of our neighbouring suburbs, but we have to think regionally,” she said.

“You will all have your own experiences, whether it is shopping in Broadway, living nearby or coming to Newmarket for entertainment. You will have your views on what will make the town centre a better place. Your town centre will only be a better place with your participation and the contribution of your ideas.”

Councillor Yates said the quality design of town centres was not helped by advertising programmes with hoardings and banners that were unrelated to the town centre. “Nor a vast array of retail outlets where shopping is hidden in a big box mall which is surrounded by carparks. “These should be located away from the town centre,” she said.

Displays regarding Newmarket’s Future will be presented at Epsom, Parnell and Remuera libraries from 50 to 29 November. Newmarket’s Future also has a shop front display at the old KFC building, corner of Broadway and Balm Street, Newmarket, from 13 to 16 November and 20 to 22 November. Officers will be in attendance at the KFC building and there will be an opportunity to write down your comments and send them to: Dawne Mackay, City Planning, Civic Building, 1 Greys Ave, Auckland. Auckland City invites the public to comment on the issues raised at the public meetings so far.

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