Vision CBD 2030
Friday, November 07, 2008
Draft report goes out for public consultation
WHAT do you think Hutt City’s central business district (CBD) needs to make it a more vibrant, dynamic place?
The question has been asked and submissions from the public, business groups and community organisations have now gone into a draft Vision CBD 2030 – a document that will be available for feedback from next week.
The draft includes innovative ideas that have been submitted by people directly and through attendance at public workshops.
“The aim has been to obtain community feedback so that Hutt City Council has a clear concept of how the community views the future of the CBD, its role and function in the future and what aspects need to be changed and/or preserved,” says Senior Strategic Advisor Yasmin Lee. “The ideas have been incorporated into the draft Vision CBD 2030 – we now want to know what the public thinks of these ideas.”
A three-venue exhibition to kick-start the consultation – called “10 minutes’ Vision CBD walk” – connects the TradeStart office in City Plaza to the War Memorial Library, passing through Visitor Centre in Laings Road along the way.
“By making it a creative walk, we hope to encourage people to enjoy all the six themes represented in our Vision,” Yasmin says.
The exhibition will run from November 12 until December 12. Copies of the draft Vision, including a submission questionnaire, will be available at the exhibition. Copies will also be at all Hutt City Libraries and by can be downloaded from www.huttcity.govt.nz
Submissions close on December 12.
General Manager Strategic Development Kim Kelly says feedback from the community will help the council plan for the future of the CBD.
“Having produced the draft Vision, it is now time for the wider community to comment,” Kim says. “Everyone’s input will be considered and will help us to develop what we know can be an energetic and vibrant heart to our city.”
The six key themes of the Vision are:
- Liveability: A successful CBD is a living and transforming space, a place that allows people of all ages to connect and develop socially, culturally and physically.
- Sustainability: A sustainable CBD needs to use building technologies, better stormwater treatment options and other ecologically friendly alternatives.
- A Growing CBD: For Hutt City citizens to enjoy the benefits of a strong economy the CBD has to perform well economically and grow. Where should this growth happen, what form should it take and how we are going to encourage and generate it?
- Connected: Our CBD has to be connected – inner city streets connecting shops through to regional connections of state highways and rail. Connections allow information, products and people to easily enter and leave the CBD.
- Unique: The CBD is the public face of our city, its administrative centre and its largest commercial destination. A unique city should offer a special living space, allowing people to connect at many levels – physical, social and virtual.
- Quality: The CBD should be an example of a quality built environment and provide for a high standard commercial and residential environment.
Look for the postcard above in your letterbox next week.