Inner Harbour construction starting this summer

Progress on the redevelopment of the inner harbour precinct has taken a big step forward as resource consent for construction work has been granted.

The consent is specifically for phase one construction works in the road reserve and carpark areas, and will allow for improved parking, seating, native planting and development of a walkway promenade with pedestrian crossings.

“The inner harbour will be one of the key Hubs for the Tairawhiti Navigations experience,” says Council Chief Executive, Nedine Thatcher-Swann.

“The inner harbour will be a transitional space where visitors and the community will be drawn to, connected through improved walkways and heritage trail, connecting Oneroa to Titirangi and the Cook Landing site.”

Local restaurant owner, Grant Fussell says he’s really excited about the rejuvenation of Gisborne’s very own viaduct.

“I see the area being a multi-purpose destination and the home of Gisborne’s finest hospitality.”

Features of the inner harbour upgrade will include a reinvigorated esplanade walkway, which will incorporate green spaces filled with native plants, trees and better accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. There will be more furniture, upgraded parking facilities and improved lighting.

The possibility of pedestrian improvements to the Gladstone Road Bridge could also provide safer access to the CBD and city’s cycle and walkway network.

The Tairāwhiti Navigations project aims to create a national tourism asset, with initial development based around the inner harbour, Turanganui River and Titirangi, which will bring significant economic, social and cultural benefits to the region and New Zealand. While work on Tairāwhiti Navigations is focused in the city, its genesis is in regional development with future potential sites and tourism initiatives being connected. This project supports the Tairāwhiti Economic Action Plan

“The pieces are all coming together, and the community will soon be able to experience it for themselves,” says Ms Thatcher-Swann.

“Tairāwhiti Navigations has been in development for a long time now (some 12 years), this summer we’ll start seeing it come to life.”

Detailed designs for the precinct will soon be completed by Landlab and Beca, and registrations of interest for the construction work will be sought in September.

ENDS

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