Two NCC projects attract central Government funding

Published: 24 June 2020

Napier City Council has been awarded $200,000 funding through the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s Innovating Streets for People Programme to trial some improvements to the way West Quay operates.

The key to this project is to co-design with the local landowners, Mana Whenua and Waka Kotahi to work out a solution that achieves a safe and enjoyable pedestrian and cyclist environment, and improves its overall look. Any changes must also sustain a functioning and safe working wharf, and continue to work well for businesses and residents.

NCC has also been awarded just over $400,000 from this same programme to install some clever interventions to encourage more school students to walk or bike to Napier Hill schools. The focus for this project is on an area which encompasses Napier Central School, Napier Girls’ High School, Sacred Heart College and surrounding streets. NCC will be working collaboratively with the schools on this project.

The fund supports councils to do things differently by using “tactical urbanism” - quick, low-cost and temporary improvements that help to create more vibrant, people-friendly spaces in our neighbourhoods. The approach centres on co-design and data collection throughout the trial, and its findings are a pathway to more permanent solutions that will follow.

“We’re delighted to have received this funding and look forward to working with the community on the improvements,” says Fleur Lincoln, NCC Strategic Planning Lead.

Councillor Keith Price, who chairs the Sustainable Napier committee and has the transportation portfolio, says testing improvements before making them permanent, as will be the case with both these projects, is a great idea. “As a former West Quay business owner, I know how busy it gets. Being able to test and tweak solutions is good for everyone,” he says.

The funding results from two successful applications by NCC’s City Strategy and Infrastructure Services (transportation) staff to the first round of grants from the Innovating Streets pilot fund, announced yesterday.

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