The park’s redevelopment is planned to include a Chinese garden, a teahouse style café, renewal of the children’s playground, improved perimeter shelter planting and the creation of a space well suited for public events.
The application for resource consent was accepted by Council Officers earlier this month and is now publicly notified.
Mayor Celia Wade-Brown says, “Frank Kitts can be even better. This is a final farewell to the 80s waterfront street race. More planting, usable space and shelter will be combined with better play equipment to make a more liveable space with views of the harbour.
“The TSB southern transformation also improves its outlook. All the memorials will be respectfully relocated in the park and the much-loved seagull slide will remain. Events like the Cancer Society’s Relay
for Life will work well in the new space,” she says.
Funding, sculptures and items will come from several places for the Chinese Garden. Our Chinese sister cities are generously contributing alongside businesses, individuals and local organisations including the Wellington
Chinese Garden Society.
Member of the Wellington Chinese Garden Society Esther Fung says, “This unique Chinese garden is a tangible expression of the goodwill and friendship between the people of Wellington and the people of Xiamen, Beijing and Tianjin.”
The Council has led extensive consultation and planning – the Waterfront Framework was agreed in 2001 and confirmed in 2011. Wellington City Council asked for people’s views in April 2015 as part of wider consultation on the Waterfront Development Plan. This included an information kiosk on the Wellington Waterfront.
In 2014 feedback on the design of the playground was gathered from more than 70 children and caregivers who regularly used the park. High levels of public support were received and some of that feedback was incorporated into the further development of the design.
Transport and Urban Development Chair, Councillor Andy Foster says, “The playground is well overdue for a refresh; the equipment is tired and worn out, the new playground will be larger and cater for both big and small children. The redeveloped park will no-longer turn its back on our beautiful harbour, but will offer clear views of the sea.”
More information
To find out more or make enquiries on the application, email planning@wcc.govt.nz.
Submission forms can be found at the Wellington City Council Service Centre and Wellington Central Library and online.
You can email submissions to consent.submissions@wcc.govt.nz or post them to the Resource Consents Team,Wellington City Council, PO Box 2199, Wellington 6140.