‘Tatty’ end of Lyall Bay to be transformed

Wednesday, 27 September 2023

A park, an upgraded promenade, a plane-spotting area and new hospitality businesses will soon transform the eastern end of Lyall Bay.

There is no shortage of plans for the blocks closest to the airport, which just a few decades ago were a buffer zone from the noise and mainly occupied by derelict warehouses.

Wellington Airport has put its hand up to pay for a waterfront promenade on Lyall Parade, to improve access from the Leonie Gill pathway to the dining and beach precinct.

Plans for the promenade along with seating areas and amenities would be released next year, said chief executive Matt Clarke. It would be a “major upgrade” and a “major investment” from the airport into the local community.

“We’re proud to be helping drive the revitalisation of this area … This work is going to make it even more of a jewel in Wellington’s crown.”

The airport was passionate about enhancing the neighbourhood, Clarke said. It had also bought two corner sites in the new Lyall Bay Junction business precinct, where two new hospitality businesses would open early next year.

Also on the waterfront parade, Huetepara Park, planned by the local community, will turn a patch of grass behind Briscoes into an accessible viewing platform, boardwalk and public toilet. The airport is on board as a sponsor along with the council and several local businesses.

On top of all that, Sir Peter Jackson is now the confirmed purchaser of the E tū Union building, meaning he owns an entire block of land on Lyall Parade — rumoured to be a site for his long-awaited film museum.

Motukairangi ward councillors agreed that the area had been neglected and overlooked in the past.

Sarah Free said she would like to see the area continue improving. “It’s been looking a bit tatty and run down for a while, it would be nice to see it loved,” she said.

The area was one of Wellington’s premier beaches and a significant surfing area, so deserved to be upgraded, Free said.

Tim Brown, previously involved with the airport as the chairperson of the board, said it was great to see more development of the area.

It had come a long way since the days it was a wasteland which essentially functioned as a noise barrier with the airport, he said.

The area was too close to the airport noise corridor for housing developments, so supporting business precincts made sense. Especially with quieter modern planes, it was now shaping up as a popular spot for cafes and bars.

“As Spruce Goose and Maranui Cafe have proved, there’s almost insatiable demand for hospitality here.”

Councillor Teri O’Neill said it had been fantastic to see the amount of interest from local businesses in new areas like Lyall Bay Junction.

She was a big supporter of Huetepara Park, and wanted to see more public areas that people could enjoy without buying anything.

“It’s a place that people across the city love, whether they’re coming to walk their dog or to get a pint at Parrotdog.”

A few streets back from the beach there are changes planned as well. The airport’s new Emergency Services Centre on Coutts St is a part of the mix.

Construction will start in mid-October. As well as the centre itself, the plans include landscaping work to improve the cul de sac along with what the airport describes as a “spectacular public location” for plane-spotting.

Over on Tirangi Rd, Greater Wellington Regional Council has leased land from the airport that it is likely to use as to build a bus depot, though the plans have not been approved yet.