Strathallan Corner Trial

What is this?

This is a two-week trial that is part of the City Hub Strategy’s Urban Masterplan workstream.

This was a popular idea suggested by stakeholders and the wider community that we are putting to the test. The space is intended for you to use as you like and will be activated over the course of the next two weeks by small groups representing diverse parts of the community.

With this trial we are trying to understand and find out how it changes the experience of the city and how it might trigger new behaviours.

What is the city hub strategy and master plan?

The City Hub Strategy is a significant council-led initiative which will enable key stakeholders and the wider community to regenerate a thriving, vibrant, sustainable Timaru City Centre meeting the diverse needs of our residents for the next 30–50 years. It includes multiple workstreams and projects that will unlock opportunities for us to reshape our urban space together.

One component of the City Hub Strategy is the Urban Master Plan now underway with urban design experts Isthmus and city activation specialists Gap Filler in partnership with Council, mana whenua and the community.

A tactical approach is being used to uncover, test and build on ideas suggested by stakeholders and the wider community. It includes site testing to understand what happens when we implement popular concepts in a temporary way. Testing our assumptions before we commit funding to any big-ticket items will help ensure outcomes are functional, attractive, and well utilised by our communities both now and in the future. These trials paired with your feedback will help directly inform, develop, and refine the Urban Master Plan for Timaru.

What can you expect over the next few years?

Over the course of the next few months and years you will see a series of smaller and larger temporary trials and activations happening in the city that test your ideas for new experiences and movements. This one here on Strathallan Corner is the first of several.

Does it feel different? Does it change your experience of the city?

We invite you to tell us what you think about the trials and how they change your experience of the city. We also welcome you to get involved, see what’s happening and offer us feedback.

You can do this by:

  • Signing up to the newsletter to keep up to date: https://www.timaru.govt.nz/community/city-hub/how-can-i-get-involved
  • Give us your feedback in person or via the survey on the site or online here.
  • In the future you will be able to drop in to the centrally located City Hub project space to learn more about the Tactical Urban Master Plan. We have postponed this initiative at present for Covid related public safety, but will keep you posted.

Last updated: 14 Feb 2022