News release

20 February 2012

Positive feedback coming in for CBD proposals

Members of the public are already showing strong support for an extension to Whangarei’s Cameron Street Mall, with only two weeks to run on the consultation process.

Whangarei District Council has had two concept designs prepared for extending Cameron Street Mall along Cameron Street as far as John Street, and down James Street to the Robert Street intersection.

The public are invited to inspect the designs and provide feedback. The concepts are on public display in the Mall on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and at Whangarei District public libraries and Council’s Customer Services office at Forum North every day.

Once feedback has been gathered Council will consider how to proceed with any changes.

Council’s Urban Designer Nick Karlovsky said about six out of every seven people who have dropped by the stand in the Mall to discuss the plans are in favour of extending the mall, but feeling was evenly spread on whether or not to trial a laneway proposal first or to extend the mall.

Comments from the public have included:
• losing car access would be negative to our businesses as we need to deliver products to customers
• I agree with the outdoor dinning area and layered overhead canopy as I feel the city centre has lost its charm over the past years and would be an alternative to Vine/Bank St bars and Town Basin is necessary for people wanting to spend their evenings in town
• we need a youth space and/or cafe in the CBD
• I support the ideas but Council will have to provide alternative parking and pay attention to how people get there
• features such as spaces for outdoor entertainers and Al Fresco diners will encourage people into town
• new areas need to be anti-slip
• just build it.

ENDS

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