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We want to hear your thoughts.
Wairoa’s multi-million-dollar main street transformation is getting closer and the time has come to gather views and ideas from our local community. The Te Wairoa E Whanake project is a $4.8 million-dollar Provincial Growth Fund investment into Wairoa’s town centre to assist in creating further retail, employment and educational opportunities. The revitalisation project takes in the burnt-out buildings site, the relocation of the i-Site, including a Wairoa identity space and Rocket Lab Education Centre, and the development of a Wairoa River Regional Park. It also includes a Regional Digital Hub which will expand on services offered by the Wairoa Library. Wairoa District Council Economic Development chairperson Denise Eagelesome-Karekare said now is the time to gather people’s ideas and thoughts. “We would love to hear from a range of people about what you think would make Marine Parade a better place to spend time, do business and help grow our district.” Feedback includes parking preferences, water fountains and free water filling stations, seating and planting, lighting, art and design. Would you like to see a rooftop bar in Wairoa? what about an all-weather community courtyard? or water activities utilising the Wairoa River? “We want to hear how our locals visualise the change and what sort of ideas and themes they would like incorporated in the revitalisation. “We know Wairoa people have great ideas and we want to harness those thoughts to develop this project in the best way possible.” Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said while people will be thinking the main street redevelopment is not a priority at the moment, it is important projects like this are ready to go post-pandemic. Gathering people’s thoughts now puts us in a position to get cracking once the time is right. “Revitalising our main street has long been a dream of Councillor Eagelsome-Karekare, and also former councillor Min Johansen, and I admire the work and dedication of all the partners who are involved in bringing this to fruition.” The revitalisation project will be underpinned by a smart urban design incorporating Reorua 2040, and in line with that the questionnaire is available in English and te reo Māori. There are no right or wrong answers, it’s just about hearing from the community. Feedback should only take a few minutes and everyone who completes the questionnaire will go into the draw to win one of five $100 vouchers to spend at local businesses. Online feedback is live from today. All thoughts will then be collated, and design work developed, and a business case confirmed with construction on target to begin next year. Tell us your thoughts by heading to www.tewairoaewhanake.co.nz/have-your-say A 4.8 million dollar investment grant will be transformative for Wairoa’s main street delivering further retail, employment and educational opportunities. The cash injection has been made possible through the Coalition Government’s Provincial Growth Fund, which aims to grow economic development in the regions.
The main street initiative, Te Wairoa E Whanake, Rise Up and Grow Wairoa, and the Wairoa Library Regional Digital Hub have been developed in partnership with the Wairoa District Council, Vision Projects, the Wairoa Community, Iwi, education providers and the Provincial Growth Unit. The project will see an Integrated Business Facility built on the main street burnt-out buildings site, the relocation of the i-Site and creation of a Wairoa identity space and a Rocket Lab Education Centre and the development of a Wairoa River Regional Park. The Regional Digital Hub will expand on services offered by the Wairoa Library as part of its planned expansion to provide access to digital connectivity for business development establishing the library as a community hub for shared resources to spark community innovation and creativity. All projects will be underpinned by a smart urban design, incorporating the Reorua 2040 commitment, which will enhance the entire CBD and generate positive economic, cultural, social and environmental wellbeing. This enterprise will lead trade training, apprentice-based and employment pathways to deliver regeneration of Wairoa’s CBD by directly addressing the need for business opportunities and employment. Phase One of the project will take place this year with community feedback, design work, and business case development all being progressed. Phase Two is the construction stage which is expected to start in 2021. It will include the physical development of an Integrated Business Facility on the burnt-out buildings site, relocation of the i-Site and creation of the Rocket Lab education centre and Wairoa identity space. The Wairoa Regional Park is part of the final phase and will complement Te Wairoa E Whanake through a comprehensive environmental plan which will address the riverbanks within the township area. The projects, particularly the main street initiative, will encourage more businesses and visitors into the town centre and create better employment opportunities for local people. It will see Wairoa rise up and grow by connecting community, whānau and students and building a robust, sustainable, culturally reflective and digitally connected town centre. With funding secured and a draft plan in progress, the next step is to talk with the community to hear what the people want and how that can be linked into the project. |
Where we are atCheck in here for up to date news on what is happening with the project.
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