22 September 2020

South Wairarapa District Council has secured $180,000 from the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Innovating Streets Fund to create safe, vibrant and welcoming spaces for socialising, increasing foot traffic and supporting local businesses in Martinborough.

Projects under this fund are conducted under the Tactical Urbanism approach, trialled in live environments on a temporary basis allowing SWDC to co-design and test interventions with the community to inform future development.

The funding secured will help SWDC engage our community to explore opportunities together, which could include the temporarily repurposing car parks in the Martinborough Square and part of Kitchener Street.

Consultation with the community will inform the trial, which is essential to ensure street developments meet public needs and do not have any unintended impacts.

SWDC Group Manager, Partnerships and Operations Euan Stitt says the project is very early in the process.

“Securing the funding for the project was the first major milestone. Now we’re setting up a project team before embarking on community engagement.

“Council is delighted to offer the community the opportunity to trial solutions in real-time to ensure they are fit for purpose.

“Capturing a large cross-section of our community during consultation is essential to ensure we have a wide range of views,” says Mr Stitt.

Tactical urbanism processes contrast with the typical approach of seeking community feedback on a proposed design after it has been developed by a group of experts.

More information about Innovating Streets is available at www.nzta.govt.nz/roads-and-rail/innovating-streets/about, or if you would like more information about the South Wairarapa pilot, please email innovating.streets@swdc.govt.nz. Project information will be available on our website once the project gets underway.

ENDS

Media contact

Amy Wharram

027 252 2863