More news for this week

Planning for growth in Newmarket

From City Scene, published on 20 April, 2008

World class: General manager of the Newmarket Business Association, Cameron Brewer, says the council's $6 million streetscape upgrade will reinforce Newmarket as a world-class destination. "The Broadway upgrade is a credit to everyone involved. Broadway deserves first-class pedestrian amenities and that's what the council is delivering."

Ground breaking: This pipe jacking machine will be used to tunnel underneath Lumsden Green and lay new pipes as part of the council's stormwater work in Newmarket. The cutters at one end of the machine burrow through the earth and sections of pipe are lowered in as the earth is pushed forward, to create the new stormwater system.

Newmarket is one of Auckland city's fastest growing communities. This lively shopping precinct is already home to about 6000 residents and its population and economy keep growing. To ensure development in the area is planned and coordinated, the council is working with developers, retailers, investors and other agencies.

Significant work is needed to make sure infrastructure can accommodate Newmarket's growth including:

• major stormwater and wastewater improvements in and around Lumsden Green
• rail upgrades by Ontrack and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority, including a new railway station
• improvements to Broadway and "Carlton Corner", including new paving, seating and lighting to make the area safer and more attractive for pedestrians
• new bus lanes along Broadway as part of the Central Connector project to reduce travel times between Newmarket and Auckland's CBD.

Streetscape upgrades on track

Street upgrades in Newmarket are running on time and on budget. Recent improvements to Nuffield Street include new basalt footpaths, planting magnolia and cabbage trees, and installing new lighting poles and rubbish bins. Work will continue along Broadway in sections to minimise disruption to pedestrians, businesses and traffic. The sections of Broadway from Lumsden Green to the roundabout leading to Parnell Road, and between Mortimer Pass and Morrow Street, are now complete, with the finishing touches to Teed Street being made this month.

"Local business owners are very happy with the results of the work so far and we have had lots of positive comments from pedestrians and other Broadway users," says the council's group manager of transport management delivery, Tim Lott. "Works are more than halfway through now and we're on track to finish by September," he says.

"Carlton Corner", a pedestrian haven on Newmarket's main street, will also undergo a similar makeover to Nuffield Street.

Stormwater project starts soon

Upgrading the stormwater system around Newmarket's popular Lumsden Green is due to start in May. The area is prone to flooding during heavy rain, which affects local businesses, residents, pedestrians and park users.

During the upgrade - which will reduce flooding and cater for the area's rapid growth - the green will be closed for several months for safety reasons.

The project involves digging a 25m-deep hole in the centre of the green to allow for tunnelling towards Davis Crescent and Khyber Pass. The improvements include separating wastewater and stormwater pipes to reduce pressure on the system and lessen pollution of our waterways. The green's public art works and cannon will go into storage before the work begins and the green will be restored when the stormwater project is completed.

Businesses in the area will be briefed on the project before work starts.

Other key developments planned for Newmarket include the major extension to Westfield 277 and the redevelopment of the 5.2ha Lion Brewery site.