Welcome to Talk of the CityTown, an update about what’s happening as we begin to put what we’ve learned through the programme into practice.

We’re sending this to everyone who has signed up for updates so far, but please forward it to everyone you know to help us get the word out.

Community participation in our workshops and input to/feedback on our Trials has been warmly appreciated and these insights, first incorporated in the CityTown Strategic Framework in July 2022, are still front of mind for us today.

You noticed some of the enhancement projects that have been popping up (and are still to pop up!) in the city centre since that time? Our digital kiosk on Stafford Street is up and running, Stafford Street has had its non-slip tile coating applied, and a tranche of beautification plantings as well as a plant protection barrier is coming soon.

New wayfinding signage will installed be shortly. A sample of these enhancement projects is below.

The commitment of stakeholders to the project, who were described as bringing “unwavering diligence and passion” throughout our earlier design drops and activations has led to regional recognition for Timaru’s urban regeneration activities.

You can read more here: https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350272270/citytown-recognised-regional-architecture-awards

CityTown funding commitments in Long Term Plan

Initial funding for CityTown project delivery had been reduced to $1.5 million in year 1 of the initial draft of the Long Term Plan. However, following public submissions Councillors agreed to reinstate an additional $4.5 million in the budget between 2027 and 2029.

This will be allocated to capital works based on the priority areas identified in the Timaru CityTown Masterplan, and any funding allocated to the CBD in future plans will also be allocated to projects in this way.

Our project Consultants, Isthmus are currently finalising the CityTown Master Plan, and an additional Caroline Bay Master Plan, to align with our previously adopted CityTown Strategic Framework. These are based on feedback from hundreds of stakeholders provided via community wide consultations (including the LTP 2021-31) and via district-wide market research capturing 1,032 diverse voices from different sectors of our community.

The planning process included input from 56 stakeholders via 15 workshops, meetings with Earthquake Prone Building owners, and feedback from targeted meetings, site walkovers, 992 survey responses, and 669 social media comments. Reports are available online.

More than 20 experts and consultants rigorously analysed and tested the ideas, contributing urban design, engineering assessments, traffic modelling, and community support, with ongoing peer review.

During the month of June, we have also been actively hosting a series of workshop sessions aimed at presenting the Draft Master Plans to key CityTown and Caroline Bay stakeholders. Stakeholder review of has been crucial to ensure that the Draft Master Plans are not only thorough and well-considered but also reflective of the diverse perspectives of our community.

The Plans, once adopted, will guide strategic ratepayer investment as and when council units renew infrastructure elements, and will highlight the processes, plans and policies that facilitate urban regeneration led by the community and private sector.

The Plans will also provide guidance for private investors looking to anticipate the direction that city centre development (and development around the Caroline Bay area) will take over the coming years.

Whats coming next?

Additional community feedback will continue to be collated after publication and will inform interpretation and implementation of the Plans on an ongoing basis.

As and when the Council is in a position to proceed with any individual project, targeted community and stakeholder engagement will also be undertaken on that project, at that time, to ensure that the design is appropriate and fit for purpose considering all of the latest data and stakeholder insights available.

Should you have any questions on the CityTown work programme, please don’t hesitate to email us at citytown@timdc.govt.nz