Kāpiti Coast District Council has held a well attended meeting which invited the Waikanae community to pop into Mahara Place to hear about their plans to revitalise the Waikanae town centre.
Infrastructure Services Group Manager Sean Mallon says the Council plans to progress a number of projects within the next 12 to 24 months to transform and improve the vibrancy of the Waikanae town centre.
“This includes work to establish the cultural thread and better integrate the Whakarongatai Marae with the town centre, progress concept designs for improving Mahara Place and pilot a summer programme in Mahara Place to help bring more people into the area.
“Representatives from the New Zealand Transport Agency were also onsite to talk about their plans to make State Highway 1 through the Waikanae town centre a fit-for-purpose local road,” says Mr Mallon. “This includes options for increasing the number of car parking spaces on State Highway 1.”
Mr Mallon says the Council will be installing a temporary lawn for the community to host events and activities throughout the summer months. This installation will act as a pilot for planned improvements to grass and plant areas in Mahara Square in 2018/19.
Programme Delivery Manager Tania Parata says the Council has been working with the Waikanae Community Board, Destination Waikanae and key stakeholders to help encourage more people to visit the town centre.
“The summer programme was borne from community feedback and ideas on what action could be taken to improve the vibrancy area and support economic development.
“We’ll be establishing a temporary lawn complete with seating, planting and a stage area for people to utilise over the next few months and welcome ideas on the types of activities that people would like to see taking place,” says Ms Parata.
