Master plan for Timaru’s Caroline Bay revealed

Monday, 16 June 2025

Turning Marine Parade into a promenade-style feature is one key proposal in a master plan for the “jewel in the crown” of Timaru - Caroline Bay.

The 32-page report by consultants Isthmus, that was originally given to the Timaru District Council a year ago, was only publicly released on Thursday ahead of the council's infrastructure committee meeting on Tuesday.

It was compiled as part of the town’s CityTown Master Plan, with Caroline Bay listed as one of six key character areas for civic spaces in the town.

Last month, a senior council staff member admitted to dropping the ball over a failure to share the plan with the community that paid for it after councillor Stacey Scott asked why it had not been put out for consultation.

Scott’s request came almost a year after the council gave an update, in June 2024, and said Isthmus were finalising the “CityTown Master Plan, and an additional Caroline Bay Master Plan”.

Two months later, in August, the council released the plan for breathing new life into the Timaru CBD but nothing on Caroline Bay - until this week.

In releasing the CityTown plan for the CBD, the council confirmed it had committed $6 million for capital projects in the first five years of the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan.

The Timaru CityTown Caroline Bay Master Plan suggests removing parking and widening Marine Pde to include seating, as well as adding “traffic calming measures” on the road that separates the Bay and PrimePort operations.

There are also suggestions for boat sheds, a moveable cafe kiosk (an idea that has previously lacked public interest) and boat hire.

There is also a suggestion to shift the freedom camping area off Marine Pde to an expanded area inside the loop of Port Loop Rd.

It also proposes more protection for kororā/little penguins by limiting beach access through the habitat, and the creation of a separate line of rocks delineating a penguin protection area.

The plan says “speed interventions” along Marine Pde, and the opportunity to use some on-street parking space for a safe/protected penguin viewing area, as part of the promenade experience, would keep people a safe distance from habitats.

The ideas are also likely to require the relocation of the beach volleyball areas at Caroline Bay.

Among other “new” suggestions put forward by the consultants are a “heart space” for gatherings in front of the 112-year-old Caroline Bay Hall; a contemporary building to house the historic Alexandra lifeboat; the creation of a new habitat along Pohatu-Koko (formerly known as Whaler’s Creek) that flows under and through the Bay; a small and large events zone with a possible stage; plus a series of new pathways to create a north/south and east/west promenade circle.

The plan says its purpose is to create a spatial framework for the future development of Caroline Bay that needs to be flexible enough to respond to future trends, needs and environmental changes “that we can’t predict today”.

“It (Caroline Bay) plays a major role for the CityTown being the main outdoor and recreation area in a prime central location.

“It is already highly successful on many levels, but has the potential to deliver so much more for community and visitors.”

A council cover report for the plan’s committee meeting debut says a staged redevelopment of Caroline Bay last occurred during the 2000s.

“It was funded over six years and completed in three stages at a cost of $4.5m,” the report by the council’s development manager Rosie Oliver and parks and recreation manager, Bill Steans, says.

“Since this time members of our community, including commercial entities, have continued to come up with ideas for new or upgraded facilities both public and private.

“Several such submissions to council were previously referred to take part in the development of a master plan to better enable the co-ordination and prioritisation of both private and public sector investment proposals.”

The report says the present master plan was initiated, and funded through the CityTown project, to better ensure strategic alignment between planning for the city centre and the ability to leverage the recreational, social, cultural and economic potential of the area.

“Like the CityTown Master Plan, the Caroline Bay Master Plan also assumes a partnership management and investment approach and therefore outlines development opportunities that could be appropriately undertaken by potential investors and stakeholders,” the report by the council’s development manager Rosie Oliver and parks and recreation manager, Steans, says.

“This includes public realm enhancements (eg plantings and pathways) which would fall to council to fund and implement, together with highlighted opportunities for private and commercial development (facilities, business operations, and events) which would be promoted or implemented by our economic development agency, Venture Timaru.

“Other stakeholder groups with a clear role to play in the implementation of the master plan include existing partners such as the Caroline Bay Association, and the community and volunteer groups behind key projects such as CPlay and the initiative to install the Alexandra lifeboat.

“As the plan is complementary to council’s ongoing maintenance and regulatory role, it also includes recommendations relevant to critical topics such as freedom camping, parking, and traffic management.”

Council consulted with a wide range of individuals and focus groups which it says “was a positive process because there was general consistency in the feedback received”.

Responses were received from representatives of Age Concern, Presbyterian Support South Canterbury, libraries, Mana Whenua, Te Aitarakihi Marae, performing arts, fine arts, Sustainable South Canterbury Trust, youth, Timaru Host Lions, Timaru Yacht and Power Boat Club, Penguins First, Timaru Penguins, Venture Timaru and Cruise Ships, Timaru Suburban Lions, Caroline Bay Association, CPlay, South Canterbury Speed Skating Club, Sopheze On The Bay, commercial property owners, and South Canterbury Hospice.

The report from Oliver and Steans says any capital projects requiring council investment would need to be budgeted for through a future Long Term Plan, with business cases developed including funding requirements.

“Many similar projects have been staged over several years to match available funding.

“Costings of preferred projects can be prepared for consideration through the Long Term Plan process.”

The report said Venture Timaru could be empowered to undertake the required business development, promotion and events management activities that fall within their remit and to manage any prospective commercial and/or non-commercial developments proposed for the area.