2020
Oct 2019 – Feb 2020: Consolidation of option development and development of preferred concept. Transport modelling of selected options and initial cost estimates of preferred concept.
Report to Council (item 8.3)
March: Council sought feedback from the community on options to upgrade Elizabeth Street, First Avenue, Devonport Road and Elizabeth Lane to understand community and stakeholder views on the proposed concept. Consultation on proposed options opened Wednesday, 11 March and closed on Wednesday, 25 March 2020.
Find out more
May: Councillors gave the Elizabeth Street upgrade the go ahead on 19 May 2020, approving the comprehensive streetscape upgrade with potential for future staging options (option B). The majority of feedback received from the community, stakeholders and existing city centre residents and businesses supported this option. We’ve listened carefully and made adjustments to the design to respond to the feedback received.
Report to Council (item 10.3)
Concept design options (4.4mb pdf)
Community feedback summary (1.3mb pdf)
Workshop summary 44kb pdf)
2019
In August, Council resolution requested staff to consider scoping and staging options for the Elizabeth Street Upgrade project in order to ensure upgrade works are completed in time for the Farmers opening in 2021.
Report to Council (247kb pdf)
Community workshop with nearby businesses, residents and councillors was also held in August.
In late 2019 the scope for the Elizabeth Street upgrade was reset to focus on the immediate vicinity of Farmers in order to meet construction timeframes and to minimise effects on adjacent businesses. The full linear park concept remains as an opportunity for future development. Options development commences
2018
Development of a concept for an Elizabeth Street Linear Park (8mb pdf) . The concept included a 10m wide pavement on the south side of Elizabeth Street with a separated cycleway, trees and landscaping, and play elements. The linear park was proposed to extend from the eastern end of Elizabeth Street to Cameron Road.
In July 2018, a workshop was held for local businesses and residents to input into the draft concept design. This was a highly interactive workshop and the feedback provided was incorporated into the concept design.
A number of required infrastructure upgrades and renewals identified, to be timed with streetscape upgrade works.
November 2018 – August 2019: development of the project was paused.
2017
Creation of the Tauranga City Centre Spatial Framework – a strategic document setting out a vision for the city centre, and eight key moves to transform the city centre to a vibrant and exciting place where people want to live, shop, visit, play and businesses want to invest. Key moves such as “the green necklace” and “harbour to harbour” led to the identification of an opportunity to transform Elizabeth Street to a high amenity connection between the two harbours and contributing to a continuous 4km walking and biking circuit around the perimeter of the city centre.
Community engagement on the community’s vision for the city centre was undertaken in May 2017. Feedback on what the community wanted to see and experience in Elizabeth Street was received at that time.
The City Centre Spatial Framework prioritises projects that support public and private sector investment and development. Elizabeth Street was identified as one of five projects to be prioritised, due to the nationally significant redevelopment of Farmers into a 12-storey mixed use retail and apartment building, and the redevelopment of Regional House.
The Elizabeth Street project was proposed to connect to two other projects; the Durham Street upgrade (now completed) and the Strand Extension.
Future upgrades in the area
Further upgrades have been explored for this area to make the city a more attractive place to work, live and visit and could be implemented if funding becomes available in the future. Find out more about:
- a concept for a green, high-amenity walking and cycling link between the two harbours, connecting the Waikareao estuary walkway to the Matapihi rail bridge.
- intersection and safety improvements on Devonport Road, with widened footpaths and tree-lined streets on Devonport Road and First Avenue.
Concept for a green, high-amenity walking and cycling link (7.7mb pdf) Intersection and safety improvements on Devonport Road (692kb pdf)