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Landscape architect Paul Murphy, left, at the open day on November 29.
There was keen interest from local residents who stopped to share their thoughts on how Whangaparaoa’s town centre could develop.
Town planner Jason Evans and landscape architect Paul Murphy were gathering information and ideas at The Plaza and Whangaparaoa Library last month to inform their plans.
Jason has been commissioned by the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board to develop a town centre plan for Whangaparaoa and Paul has been tasked with a design scheme for the area around Whangaparaoa Library, opposite the Plaza.
Paul says that a playground interesting enough to attract families is among the most popular suggestions to date, along with better links between the library and Whangaparaoa Hall and its community garden. Other suggestions include shade, shelter and comfortable seating and a flying fox.
Jason has already prepared town centre plans for Silverdale and Orewa; the plans look at the potential for future development and cover issues such as cycleways and usable, attractive public spaces.
He says the need for better pedestrian routes and cycleways was frequently mentioned. Other suggestions included roundabouts at the intersection between Whangaparaoa Road and Karepiro Drive, and also Whangaparaoa Road/Stanmore Bay Road, as well as a new link between Arklow Land and Rishworth Ave. Providing more housing in and around the town centre, as well as the potential for a hotel and function centre and arts centre to be built were also mentioned.
Paul says that he hopes to have some drawings ready in the New Year, and Jason’s draft plans will go to the local board in February, after which there will be further public consultation.
There will be another opportunity to give feedback to Jason and Paul on December 17 at the Coast Christmas Carnival at The Plaza Whangaparaoa and library forecourt, 12 noon to 7.30pm.
