Work starts on long-awaited New Brighton project

Monday, 25 September 2023

The former Westpac building on New Brighton’ Mall in Christchurch is to be demolished and replaced by a new pedestrian walkway.

A long-awaited project to reconfigure part of New Brighton Mall is finally getting started, but completion is still some time away.

Christchurch City Council has been planning to extend Oram Ave through to Hawke St since at least 2012, but progress has been slow.

The project moved a little closer to fruition this week with demolition starting on one of the buildings needed for the project.

The former Westpac building at 56 Brighton Mall is coming down and a new pedestrian walkway is planned at the site in the short term.

According to property records, the council purchased the building and land in 2021 for $560,000.

The work is expected to take about three months, and the new walkway will rejuvenate the suburb as a social space for pedestrians, the council said.

However, the area will remain fenced off following the demolition while the council confirms the design and scope of the walkway, and surveys the area to locate underground services.

New Brighton Mall has looked vacant with empty shops in recent years. (File photo)

Council’s planning delivery and transport manager, Jacob Bradbury, said the new space could work well for weekly local market stall holders.

“We know that New Brighton locals are supportive of the project and keen to see work begin in this area,” he said.

“This project is the start of the upgrade and revitalisation work planned for the mall.”

ChristchurchNZ’s placemaking and engagement advisor, Rachael Shiels, said lighting and a mural will be added and they would work with the community to determine what else could be added.

“Momentum is really growing now in New Brighton, with the fantastic public attractions on the foreshore spurring more commercial and community activity,” Shiels said.

The demolition will cost $150,000, but the council is not yet sure how much the walkway would cost, Bradbury said.

Greater New Brighton Community Leadership Group has released plans reimagining part of New Brighton Mall.

The money would come from the $15.7 million budgeted for the Oram Ave extension project. The council still needs to purchase one more building before it can push ahead with the full extension, designed to provide shoppers with protection from the easterly wind.

The previous tenants of 56 Brighton Mall, It Takes a Village and the Westpac ATM, were relocated to new premises earlier this year.

On the other side of the mall, plans for a new $2.5 million village green surrounded by bars, restaurants and shops, are still being finalised.

The community-led project, funded by a Canterbury Earthquake Appeal Trust grant, plans to turn 1000m² of largely vacant land behind Marine Parade’s Pierside building at the beach end of the mall, into a place where the community can gather.

A large grassed area is proposed, with a big stage for performances at one end. Market stalls, food trucks, pop-up retail outlets, a social enterprise community space and a skate area for young people are also in the plans.

The Greater New Brighton Community Leadership Group, made up of six volunteers led by local Robbie Baigent, has spent the last two years developing the project.

Baigent said this week, the group was working through some changes to the plan following community feedback. It is working its way through consent planning and lease arrangements with the Harris family who own the land.

Baigent said he still hopes to start work this year, but that will depend on obtaining the necessary consents.