Oriental Bay Beach Development
Timeline
Cafe on Oriental Parade
Buildings along Oriental Parade
Signs used as part of the consultation process (Click to enlarge)
The following is the timeline showing the lead up to construction work which began in November 2002.
| 1996 | A feasibility study carried out |
| 1997 | Concept designs developed |
| The concept plans were used to gauge an idea of the public's reaction and to receive their input | |
| 1998 | Concept Designs gained public support |
| There was an approximately 97% positive response to the two sets of plans that the Wellington City Council put forward to the public. To achieve over 30-40% in such an exercise is considered a good result so the high nineties result ensured an acceptance of the proposal. Because of its size, the project then sat in a queue through until 2000 by which time the necessary funds had been allocated to the project. This enabled things to start rolling in terms of design and resource consent – a necessity before work could begin on the project. | |
| 2001 | Final designs developed |
COP Outcome development and evaluation
Once the final designs were developed a comprehensive consultation exercise was carried out. This involved public meetings and open houses in the Band Rotunda situated in the centre of Oriental Bay with pictures and display models. There were meetings with the Oriental Bay Residents' Association who were very supportive. If this group hadn't been in agreement the project would have been a “no go". As well, there were pamphlets placed in libraries and other public venues which resulted in about 900 people responding to the consultation exercise with a 96% positive response. This was a very similar response to the initial Concept Design feedback of 97% in 1998. Wellington City Council approved the project to go ahead in late 2001 early 2002 subject to obtaining resource consent.
| 2002 | Resource consent granted, final designs for the beach developed, and tendering of the construction work carried out. |
| November: the Oriental Bay Foreshore Enhancement Project begins construction. |
The Full Extent of the Project
• Enhanced or new Eastern, Main and Freyberg Beaches
• Submerged reef (off Eastern Beach)
• Inter-beach access (other than at high tide)
• Access ramps either side of the Band Rotunda
• Refurbishment of existing beach access steps
• Street-level toilet facility at the Band Rotunda
• Undergrounding the Norfolk Island Pine tree light cables
• Improved root conditions for Norfolk Island Pine trees
• Upgrading of the pedestrian lighting
• Three (new) stormwater outlet points
• Repaved esplanade footpath
• Fitzgerald Point steps
• Enlarged Freyberg grass area (twice existing area)
• Relocated playground area
• Children's tidal pool at Freyberg
• Seating, tables, trees, barbeques, rubbish bins, pedestrian lighting, outdoor showers
• Toilet and changing facilities at Freyberg
• Installation of a 110 metre pier and a wave platform at Freyberg
• Wave protection wall on top of the former Freyberg breakwater
• Shingle deep-water beach in the lagoon
• Reconfigured carpark area at Freyberg
• Sea platform/s and control structure
