South Taranaki District Council approached Boffa Miskell in 2014 to ask for assistance in preparing a long-term vision and a town plan for the future. The Hawera Town Centre Strategy will assist the community to generate a vibrant and economically sustainable Town Centre attracting new residents, businesses and visitors.
The strategy, prepared together with South Taranaki District Council, and input from community members and stakeholders, identified a number of key issues. These included:
- Lack of a clear vision and strategic direction within the Taranaki regional context.
- Poor economic performance relative to other town centres.
- No clear plan for coordinating emerging civic or asset development projects.
- Many older buildings, some of which have heritage values, are earthquake prone.
- Lack of quality public open space, including green space, to provide amenity.
- Hawera Library is not meeting people’s needs and requires upgrading.
- Lack of distinctive character that provides a basis for promoting and encouraging investment.
After community engagement, and subsequent adoption in 2016, the Town Centre Strategy and identified initiatives are being implemented over time.
Thinking about the town centre as a social venue saw the investment by Council in a new library and gallery facility. The town plan process determined the location, and the design includes a new town square. Construction of two new lanes to connect anchor activities has been completed and recent economic figures have shown uplift in the town’s retail spend.
Korimako Lane