Construction begins to transform Hurstmere Road
Work to transform Hurstmere Road in Takapuna’s town centre into a more open, vibrant and accessible retail destination will begin this week.
Welcoming the news, North Shore Councillor Richard Hills said the upgrade of Hurstmere Road marks an exciting milestone and would deliver a greener and more people-friendly environment that will better serve local residents, businesses and visitors.
“The Hurstmere Road transformation will inject new life into the heart of Takapuna. Not only will the project result in a revitalized retail destination, but importantly, aging infrastructure will receive a much-needed upgrade,” says Hills.
New stormwater rain gardens set in native plantings will be located along Hurstmere Road. They have been carefully designed to collect rainwater and filter out street pollutants that currently discharge directly into the sea.
“At the end of the project, an improved stormwater treatment system will treat all water flowing from Hurstmere Road to Takapuna Beach, drastically reducing the pollution to the beach.”
Features of the enhanced Hurstmere Road include upgraded pavements and wider footpaths, new street furniture, improved lighting for safety, new native planting and a cycle lane.
Hurstmere Road will become a one-way road for north-bound traffic between Lake Road and Anzac Street with a safer speed limit of 30km, reducing vehicle dominance and making it safer for pedestrians and cyclists. South-bound traffic will be able to travel along Anzac Street and Lake Road.
Councillor Hills said the Hurstmere Road transformation project is one of a number of priority construction projects across the Auckland region getting the green light to begin work during COVID-19 Alert Level 3.
“This is a critical time to breathe life into new construction and development in our town centres. This project creates jobs for those involved with its construction, and will deliver long-term benefits to our community by creating a high street environment that stimulates economic and social vitality,” Hills says.
Pedestrian access to shops and other businesses will remain open throughout construction.
Devonport Takapuna Local Board Chairperson Aidan Bennett said the much-anticipated revamp of Hurstmere Road will finally give Takapuna the boost it deserves.
“It is fantastic that the project is continuing despite the COVID-19 disruption. Auckland Council’s project team, supported by our local councillors Richard and Chris, have done a fantastic job in bringing this project to reality,” Bennett says.
“The transformed Hurstmere Road will offer multiple benefits for the area, including providing the real boost it needs as a favourite destination for shopping and hospitality, while also helping to improve the quality of the water than runs off to our wonderful beach. It’s exciting.”
Auckland Council and contractor John Fillmore Contracting Limited (JFC Ltd.) are collaborating closely with the Takapuna Beach Business Association and will support businesses throughout construction. JFC Ltd will stage construction work to reduce disruption to business activity and has a Stakeholder Liaison Manager to liaise with and assist local businesses with queries.
“The Takapuna Beach Business Association has been supportive of the Hurstmere Road project from the start,” Terence Harpur, CEO at the Takapuna Beach Business Association said. “We are working hard behind the scenes to minimise the impact on retailers and other businesses, and we’ll be actively encouraging the community to shop locally throughout the construction period.”
Construction is expected to finish mid-late 2021. For more information on the Hurstmere Road Transformation, visit Progress AKL.
Other revitalisation projects in Takapuna:
Panuku Development Auckland – on behalf of Auckland Council – is leading the regeneration of Takapuna. The vision for Takapuna is to make the most of its lake and seaside setting to create a vibrant, safe and accessible public space that locals and visitors to Takapuna will want to spend time in. The two key Unlock Takapuna sites are the Anzac Street car park and Gasometer car park.
Anzac Street car park
The design for Takapuna’s new town square at 40 Anzac Street is now in the advanced stages. It will play a significant role in the community’s future by providing spaces for people to meet and relax, for children to play and celebrations to be held.
Gasometer car park
Construction of the new Gasometer car park building on Huron Street has remobilised in Alert Level 3. The car park is still on track to be delivered in the second half of the year. Boasting 420 short-stay public spaces, the new car park will feature electric car charging stations, motorbike parking, bike storage, accessibility parking and changing rooms.
For more information on these Unlock Takapuna projects, visit panuku.co.nz/takapuna