A plan to fence what KiwiRail says is a “dangerous” railway crossing through Hastings’ city centre will also trigger changes to the site’s iconic ponds and fountain.
As a result, Hastings District Council will upgrade the 50-year-old precinct at the heart of the CBD down the outdoor mall between Paper Plus and Market St.
The total cost of the project will be $3.45 million, with $650,000 paid by KiwiRail.
A price tag of $800,000 has been given for the works on the outdoor mall stretch – from Paper Plus to Market St – paid through a targeted rate on CBD businesses.
The council is contributing up to $2m for the elements related to the KiwiRail project, as provided in the council’s Long-Term Plan.
Council says the revitalisation will address its infrastructure issues in the city centre, as consulted with residents in last year’s Long-Term Plan.
In 2023 KiwiRail said it would fence the pedestrian rail crossing, between the existing fencing on either side through the fountain after a safety assessment put it among the most dangerous in the country. KiwiRail chief infrastructure officer André Lovatt said there were several concerns, including children playing at the water fountain feature which the track runs through and limited active warnings on the pedestrian crossing approaches. “This creates issues for pedestrians with poor hearing or who are distracted by headphones or mobile phones.” Lovatt said there had been no reports of deaths or injuries at the Heretaunga St pedestrian level crossings.
KiwiRail had allocated $650,000 for work at the crossings, with the council contributing up to $2m for the elements related to the KiwiRail project, as provided in council’s Long-Term Plan. The mall upgrade will cost up to $800,000. It will be funded through a targeted rate paid by city centre businesses, as will the adjacent Market St partial upgrade.
A council spokesperson said it had worked with KiwiRail on its planning and design process to mitigate the visual impact of the project expected to start in July and, weather permitting, be completed by the end of November. The plan included removing the fountain, given its ageing pipes had leak issues which were increasingly difficult to manage, and would be almost impossible to address once KiwiRail has fenced the rail corridor.
The CBD stage area will be moved to another public site, and more car parking will be added to the Northern Carpark near the shopping area. The street upgrade of the area between the mall and Market St will include landscaping and improved lighting, bringing that area into line with the surrounding city centre streets. A portion of Market St will also undergo its scheduled street upgrade.
Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said while funding constraints during cyclone recovery and cost increases meant many planned city centre projects had been delayed, this one had to be addressed, given the KiwiRail safety work could not be delayed. “We support KiwiRail’s focus on safety, and we must address the aging infrastructure issues in that space, but at the same time we need to maintain strong connections between the two sides of our city. “By working with KiwiRail we have been able to come up with a solution that means we get the very best out of this. Once this work is completed, our city centre will be safe, functional, and visually appealing.”
However, one business owner in the outdoor mall says the concept of walking malls is outdated and council should use the opportunity to bring back customer parking in front of shops. Suzelle Lingerie and Swimwear owner Lyndy Bass says while she will always support progress and likes the look of the upgrade, “as a business owner in a dead zone I would like the council to consider opening up the road in front of the businesses for parking”. The block remains the only one in the central city not open to any form of car traffic.
Hastings City Business Association general manager Lucinda Perry said the design had received positive feedback from its members, who appreciated the simple, elegant look. But Bass said it would be simple to allow cars to come in from Market St and turn by the railway line “like a cul-de-sac.” “Retail is hard enough as it is. Making it easier for customers to get to you is important.”
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Not a bad idea – but the cost is pretty high – can it not be toned down to just more warning signs or barriers – there have been no deaths or injuries so just enhance the warnings (those with earphones in their own little worlds are beyond saving anyway) – and place the funding not required towards essential infrastructure like roads, footpaths, sewers and water pipes
Somehow I do not think allowing parking on one block will result in a retail bonanza for the area. Encourage people to walk a little bit, it’s good for you mentally and physically.
Would be nice to see a copy of the plan and be able to have public comment.
Yes forgoodness sake do something with this area of town, it needs opening up, every evening from 6 pm onwards there is absoluely no where to get a car parking spot, ever tried to get to the noodle shop on the corner, no chance, council needs to make some restricted car parking in that area, we need to be able drive everywhere, if we want to take part in a walkathon we’d go elsewhere, let us drive!!
All very well “encouraging people to walk a bit”, Dan, but not everybody can. The elderly, disabled, and mothers with young children may all be limited in how far they can walk. Customers need to be able to access shops easily.