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Andy Foster — Vote #1 for Council |
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ONSLOW-WESTERN |
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Press Release |
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Wellington City Councillors have unanimously approved a plan to revitalise the Newlands Town Centre. Urban Development Leader Cr Andy Foster says the Plan was well supported by over 60 submitters. “Newlands residents and business people, and Council staff have worked very hard to put together an excellent plan. The Plan looks at both the short term, one to five years, and the longer term to twenty years.” “It’s critical that our suburban centres work well. They are the hearts of our communities. Newlands has been the one centre that really didn’t work because it’s badly laid out, tired, lacking a cornerstone people attractor, and consequently has been vulnerable to competition from nearby Johnsonville.” “I was delighted three years ago when councillors agreed with me that simply investing in the Community Centre wasn’t going to make Newlands work. We had to look at the whole layout.” “The short term plan is centred on Foodstuffs proposed New World supermarket on the corner of Newlands Road and Bracken Road. It has been discussed at meetings with residents and local business people, and now has resource consent. A road stopping process is underway to allow it’s construction. Council plans to use the money from the road stopping to improve the McMillan Court carpark arrangement and beautify the area.” “Pedestrian links will be improved through to the new Community Centre. New toilets will be built. Pedestrian safety and vehicle speeds in surrounding streets was a priority coming through the consultation process, and we’ve picked that up.” “The redevelopment of Council housing on Batchelor Street has been brought forward. This is a great opportunity for a public private partnership to provide mixed housing right next to the shopping centre. It’s important to have more people living close to community and retail facilities.” “In the longer term we expect more comprehensive development of private buildings. Council will not be able to do everything on its own and private sector investment to upgrade retail buildings and build upper storey housing will be needed. We are already aware of a number of proposed upgrades in addition to New World.” “We’ll also be looking at improvements to nearby Newlands Park such as a perimeter walkway, and the use of the old community house site.” |
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23 April 2010 Newlands Town Centre Plan |
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