Upgrading the town centre for one of New Zealand's iconic summer destinations.

After 10 years of planning, Thames-Coromandel District Council have realised the Whitianga community’s dream of a revitalised town centre.

Stage 1 comprised the full redevelopment of Albert Street, the main commercial street in Whitianga.

The design was based around a navigation theme, as a nod to the region’s rich history with Cpt. James Cook and the Polynesian explorer, Kupe. Albert Street now boasts wide footpaths and pedestrian spaces enabling alfresco dining and safer pedestrian crossing opportunities, traffic calming treatments within the carriageway and a revised vehicle priority into town.


Location

Waikato

Project team

Morné Hugo
Bryan Sanson

Worked with

Opus
Streetscape
WSP

Project date

2018

Awards

Category Finalist | Economic Wellbeing | LGNZ Excellence Awards

There is a new suite of public furniture, including bespoke elements, lighting features, a fully native planting palette and a large custom shelter that acts as the gateway into the new central plaza space.

The simplicity of the paving treatment on the footpath act as a clean canvas to showcase the new street elements and plantings that sit within it. The central plaza area incorporates a new overland flow path and raingarden component, managing stormwater outfall along Taylors Mistake.

Underground infrastructure including water, wastewater, power lines and provision for UFB, was upgraded along the main stretch of Albert Street.

This low-impact stormwater approach saved on underground infrastructure and created an attractive and amenity space in the centre of town. The unique feature of a flush timber deck spanning the overland flow path leads people into Taylors Mistake and towards Stage 2 along The Esplanade.

The above- and below-ground works were to be completed by December 2018, ahead of peak summer). The project team worked closely with council and the community under challenging timeframes to deliver Stage 1 to a very high standard on time and on budget.

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