28 September 2005

Mainstreet will reflect Panmure’s unique identity

A $1.6 million upgrade of Panmure’s mainstreet aims to capitalise on the area’s unique sense of place and boost the economic vitality of the suburb’s shopping precinct.

The upgrade of Queens Road between Basin View Road and Kings Road is the second phase in a programme to revitalise the Panmure town centre.

It follows extensive consultation in 2003 with Panmure residents and retailers on the town centre refurbishment plan and the first phase of the upgrade in Queens and Pilkington Roads in 2004.

The $1.6 million Auckland City upgrade will be funded primarily through development contributions collected from the nearby Sylvia Park retail outlet.

The project will see significant improvements made to Panmure’s streetscape, including new streetlights, footpaths, street furniture and planting.

A refurbishment of the community centre car park on Pilkington Road will be undertaken at the same time as the Queens Road upgrade.

Auckland City’s project manager, Helen Mellsop, says the unique environment of Panmure and its diverse history will be recognised in the streetscape design.

“Panmure has a really well-defined identity and a number of prominent landmarks dominate the area. The streetscape design will reflect the strong relationship between the suburb and the lagoon and Mt Wellington / Maungarei.
“We also want to capitalise on the history of Panmure especially because there are a number of heritage sites on Queens Road. We hope the design will also reflect those elements.”

Ms Mellsop says the first stage of the upgrade programme was very well received and the second stage of works will build on those initial themes and designs.

She says the council will work closely with local groups throughout the upgrade, including Progressive Panmure, Panmure residents’ groups and the Panmure Historical Society.

These groups will be involved in revising the existing concept designs for Stage II of the upgrade. Draft designs should be ready by the end of the year.

Ms Mellsop says the council wants to make the town centre more pedestrian friendly, which should help to boost the economic prosperity of the suburban shopping strip.

“We will ensure that car parking on Queens Road is not lost so people can still bring their vehicles into the area, but we want to see the town centre flourish as a pedestrian precinct which will encourage retail growth,” Ms Mellsop says.

The same clay paving used in Stage I of the upgrade will be used in Stage II and planter beds will be dotted along the footpaths to create a lush, green effect on the main street.

Detailed designs for Stage II will be ready by the end of the year and construction should begin in July next year.

ENDS

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