New masterplan to rejuvenate Timaru’s CBD released
Friday, 30 August 2024
A multimillion-dollar project to breathe new life into Timaru’s CBD has taken a step forward this week with the release of a masterplan, and steps for the next five years.
It’s been almost four years since the Timaru District Council announced it had appointed Auckland-headquartered design studio Isthmus Group as its urban design consultants for the first major overhaul of the CBD in 25 years.
At the time, the project was expected to cost $34 million.
On Wednesday, in releasing the CityTown Masterplan, the council confirmed it had committed $6m for capital projects in the first five years of the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan.
It has also committed a further $600k in operational funding for years one to three, as well as $300k for the new Strathallan Corner toilets.
The demolition of the current facilities and construction of new toilets was one of three projects set down for the first year. The others would involve $500k spent completing non-slip enhancement of the CBD’s slippery tiles, and a $1m project to redesign the civic space at Strathallan Corner.
The masterplan split the CBD area into six key character areas or civic spaces; Caroline Bay, the Bay Hill, North Stafford, the Creative Town Heart (the area around central Stafford St), the Green Edge (including the library and council chambers) and South Stafford.
Pitched as a guide for strategic ratepayer investment, it is also hoped it would help private investors contribute to the regeneration of the CBD.
Councillor Owen Jackson, the spokesperson for the project, said the masterplan would “replace ad hoc and reactive project delivery” and, ultimately, aimed to help draw more people into the CBD.
“Our community is looking for enhanced connectivity and experience, while businesses require customers, commuters and residents to thrive.
“This masterplan considers and seeks to balance the needs and lifestyles of our present generation with the younger generations we want to attract and retain.
“We want our town centre to be celebrated and supported by residents and visitors now, and in the future.”
Jackson said the agreed vision, Te Hokinga ki te Ngakau – Return to the Heart, reflected that.
“It is time for us to adapt to a decentralised and ageing population, ageing, earthquake prone buildings and infrastructure, and to respond to retail decline. It is time to breathe new life into the centre with urban living, consolidated retail, inviting, attractive social spaces and activities.”
The council had invited any feedback on the plan, which Jackson said would be used to guide its “interpretation and implementation”.
“Where your comments relate to a year one project (vibrancy or infrastructure) we will use this feedback immediately to help shape our work programmes. Specifically, relevant feedback can inform preparation of the draft Strathallan Corner design to be presented for stakeholder and community consultation in late 2024.”
Since the project was launched it has included a series of ‘activations’ known as the CityTown trials, which saw a range of temporary installations and introduction of activities.
In March 2023, the trials, which at that stage had cost $787,500, were put on hold following a trial to alter the layout of George and Station streets being labelled a “total failure” by mayor Nigel Bowen.
The project also included the opening of a downtown office space, work to address Timaru’s long running slippery tile issue, and the purchase and installation of the region’s largest, and most expensive, Christmas tree.
The council also launched a website which featured project updates and also had a full copy of the masterplan.
In February this year, the council’s group manager infrastructure, Andrew Dixon, said aside from the $1.5m budgeted in the 2024/25 financial year for minor enhancements, which included to Strathallan toilets, work on the slippery tiles, new plantings and a new digital information kiosk, no other work was planned.
In May, the consultants Isthmus Group and Christchurch-based place-making social enterprise Gap Filler, were recognised for their work on the Timaru CityTown Regeneration Strategy, at Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Awards.