Review of town centres

The North Shore City Council will look at how town centres are changing and growing over time.

The council's strategy and finance committee this week gave the go-ahead to the Centres Review project which will address how centres are developing in the city.

The project will review the city's network of existing and proposed centres. It will also address the number, location and role of centres, and identify any gaps.

Committee chairperson, Tony Holman, says town centres are an integral part of North Shore City's make-up.

"They act as focal points for the city and its communities," he says.

The council is responsible for enhancing and improving the look of town centres to support their future vitality and viability. Town centres are a focus for retail, leisure, residential accommodation, commercial and community facilities.

Councillor Holman says it is important that these centres are well-used and enjoyed by current and future residents and visitors.

"The council has now committed to spending more on town centres improvements through its long-term planning process.

"This review will ensure the centres continue to develop and link in an integrated, sustainable manner."

The council recently decided to invest an extra $900,000 per year on town centres in its 10-year City Plan.

The Centres Review is one of a wide range of projects outlined in the council's City Blueprint Action Plan designed to meet the challenges of growth and change. Any projects that fall out of the review will be implemented through individual centre plans and funded through the council's annual planning process.

North Shore City has centre plans for Devonport, Takapuna, Albany Village and Browns Bay, and work is under way to develop plans for the central areas of Albany and Highbury.

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