The NEXT STEP

THE INFRASTRUCTURE of Waitakere City has been improved, over recent years, with a number of civic, transport and educational developments all built using the most up-to-date ESD techniques. To promote the culture of the region, each structure also features significant artworks that have been interwoven into the fabric of the building design.

Communities such as Glen Eden, Massey and New Lynn are all now enjoying the benefits of new developments, which comprise library, sport and educational facilities. In Henderson, the civic projects, which include new council chambers, a public library and a new transport hub, are now complemented by Central One's high grade office space the next important step in the city council's plan to revitalise the town centre. In keeping with the design of the city's other recent developments, Central One, and the six other commercial buildings which are planned for Waitakere Central, feature sustainable designs.

With its extensive retail network, banks and government departments, Henderson was some years ago identified as the natural choice for Waitakere's city centre, says Waitakere City councillor Penny Hulse.

"Growing a new CBD in Henderson is good for the whole city. As part of our eco-city vision, the intention was always to create a model for sustainable development, to balance civic buildings with quality commercial structures that add to the climate of business confidence and encourage organisations to invest here," she says.

However, making Henderson more attractive to business means more than just providing new buildings. Waitakere City is expanding at a steady pace approximately 8% over the past five years, compared with a national average of 3%. Developing the city to cope with future growth, while working to retain more of the city's working population within the city, are focus points for the council.

"All our new developments are investments in Waitakere City's business, community and cultural heart," says Hulse. "With the relocation of the civic centre, the council is taking the opportunity to create a cluster of buildings designed expressly to help the council to function better, to help the CBD to function better and to encourage public transport to undertake its full role in the future."

"Waitakere City has developed a track record of accurately picking future trends and setting them in motion. Among these have been our insistence that the way of the future is more compact cities with denser population around the town and transport centre, and a rapidly accelerating role of public transport in moving people conveniently and inexpensively."

The newly completed transport interchange at Waitakere Central is essential for making the new town centre accessible to a large volume of commuters. Supported by the double tracking of the Western Line, the number of trains passing through the station is predicted to almost double, providing workers and shoppers convenient access to the mixed-use development.

Vibrant public spaces are another key to creating an effective town centre. By following a newly implemented Town Centre Strategic Partnership Programme, business, community and council representatives are joining together to co-ordinate physical improvements to the Henderson town centre, and other townships such as Te Atatu. This includes capitalising on heritage significance and using it as a means of establishing an identity, strengthening existing business and creating new opportunities for growth. Marketing these town centres through special events and retail promotions is another course of action.

For further information, contact the Waitakere City Council, phone (09) 839 0400, or visit the website: www.waitakere.govt.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas