Developing Metro Park West in Millwater took another step forward with Hibiscus and Bays Local Board approving the park’s new design.

Board chair Julia Parfitt says residents submitted 101 responses and the final design incorporates much of this feedback. It reflects the ‘Meadow and Creek’ option with the addition of fruit trees and a revised location for car parking.

“The park will offer many different spaces for events, walking and picnics. The community is very clear that the site’s natural amphitheatre, contours and sea views must be preserved in the new park.​

“Earthworks will be kept to a minimum when developing the site but are necessary to create the swale, hard stand, walkways and to improve drainage on the flatter areas of the park.

“The hard stand will accommodate market space and temporary parking for some years to come. In time though, once the through road is built at Stoney Butler Crescent, the parking will move off the park.”

This multi-year project is expected to start in 2020, with the first stage involving the swale’s construction, walkways and the planting of trees taking three years to complete.

However, this timeline is dependent on resource consent, availability of funds and tender processes.