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 Mayor Michael Laws has hailed the proposed redevelopment of the riverfront area as “a historic opportunity to remake the centre and the living heart of Wanganui”.
On 9 February 2010, interested parties packed the Council Chamber to hear about the council’s vision for the riverfront and to begin an extensive communication process about its future development.
“The future of Wanganui – both city and district – is our river. Last year’s national survey identified the river as our most identifiable feature. It is not simply nationally but internationally renown.
“However, past generations displayed an aversion to the river and deliberately built away from it. My council’s vision is to embrace our unique waterway and to develop a distinct riverfront precinct. We want to collaborate with both the commercial and community sectors in developing the area and its attraction,” Mayor Laws told the gathering.
Wanganui’s $120M wastewater project has removed sewage from the river and generally regained it as a major recreational resource.
Since 2005 the district council has made a number of decisions that have put a positive focus on the riverfront area, including the new boardwalk and subsidising the re-siting of an integrated UCOL campus.
Council then made the key decision – late last year - to construct and locate a new Visitor Centre on the riverfront and create a new frontispiece for Wanganui.
Other factors contributing to the rejuvenation of the area include the creation of inner city apartments, refurbishment of heritage buildings, the Saturday market, the Waimarie and tram developments.
A synthesis has emerged and now we need to ensure public and private interests can co-align for the mutual benefit of the council, our individual businesses and organisations, and the community.
“The riverfront redevelopment fits with council’s family-friendly strategy but it is also an opportunity to relaunch Wanganui on the national stage in terms of its image and promotion. Council has budgeted $1.7M over 10 years for that purpose and it will be a key focus this year.
“We have the opportunity to recapture the magic of the late 19th century when the Whanganui River was regarded as one of the wonders of the western world.”
The concept plan
A subcommittee of councillors, council staff and Wanganui District Council Holdings directors has developed a concept plan for the riverfront, with the new Visitor Centre being the catalyst. The concept plan is a starting point only and no ideas are “set in concrete”.
- The focus is on spaces, views and access.
- Principles of CPTED (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design and Urban Design) protocols have been used, ensuring the development is a safe and secure place.
 Pedestrian focussed (example pictured right) – which fits in with walkway(s), connections to Moutoa Gardens/river and Moutoa Gardens/Queens Park.- Heritage values are recognised.
- Focus on a mixed use space with a market, public spaces which will be family friendly and a mixture of residential and commercial building (possibly arts and entertainment).
- The area will be a new Riverfront Zone – with a specific type of commercial use and possibly no manufacturing.
- Parking is clearly an issue – the aim is to concentrate parking in adjoining blocks and not along the riverfront.
- The redevelopment is likely to result in new traffic routes through the Old Town area and relocating the district arterial route to Ridgway, Guyton or Ingestre Street. There will also be a mix of pedestrian, cycles, vehicle and tram traffic (routes not confirmed).
- There is likely to be the use of traffic calming techniques such as one-way streets and paving texture.
The Visitor Information Centre
 Work is progressing on the new Visitor Centre, with the official opening scheduled for mid-September 2010.
The building on the corner of Taupo Quay and Drews Avenue will house not only a visitor information centre but a Wanganui Shop, café and audio-visual space for the ‘Wanganui story’. There is the potential to establish a Museum of Glass.
The interior will reflect the importance of the river to Wanganui and include a contemporary pare, river marine life aquarium and Wanganui bush display.
 The design features a large atrium which will open up the structure of the building providing a sense of light and space.
“The redevelopment project will change whole face of the riverfront, with the aim of turning it into a major commercial and recreational area,” Mayor Laws said.
“This week’s meeting with interested parties was the beginning of a communication process that will mitigate the worst effects of that and keep the community informed and involved in what is happening with this key asset.”
View more information about the Visitor Centre
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