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Bin Enquiry FormThe CBD Making Places project has kicked off to transform the Lower Hutt CBD by 2030.
Making Places plays an important role to maximise the potential of our Central Business District by making it more attractive to businesses and residents. It will give developers and our community a strong direction to drive vibrancy and economic growth.
Our city faces future challenges such as an ageing population, low population increases and modest economic growth. Making Places can help to reverse these trends by attracting, growing, and retaining talent that will support creativity, productivity, and prosperity for the city.
Council recently completed the Central City Transformation Plan. The plan provides a framework for coordinating the thinking and discussion around the design and development of the central city over the next 20-40 years, and includes a range of projects and initiatives. The plan updates and adds detail to Making Places.
In early 2009 a series of community workshops, focus groups and public meetings highlighted these priorities:
Making Places involves 200 potential projects that may take place over the next 20 years.
We have three key projects that have been identified as vital to bringing the CBD Vision 2030 to life.
A clear message from public consultation was that one of Lower Hutt’s greatest assets is the Hutt River and the city centre should be better connected with it.
A riverside promenade would make this connection and also encourage social, economic and residential activity on or near the riverbanks. The proposed design will allow for mixed use development, such as low-rise apartments.
We have an opportunity to make this better connection between city and river through the RiverLink project. RiverLink is a joint project between three agencies, with the Greater Wellington Regional Council improving flood protection along the river between Kennedy Good and Ewen bridges, and the NZ Transport Agency looking at ways to reduce congestion and improve access and safety on State Highway 2 at the Melling intersections.
The proposed promenade would sit on top of the flood protection stop banks on the eastern side of the river, improved traffic flow and connections to public transport will also be considered.
During 2017, Hutt City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council will host community events to share their ideas for the riverside precinct and invite feedback.
Read more about the Riverside Promenade project and the RiverLink project
The Dowse Square was completed and opened in mid-2012 as a space that can extend the functions of The Dowse Art Museum, adjacent Council Building and Halls, Civic Precinct, Civil Defence Centre, and provide public space to support a developing CBD.
Generous areas of paving (accessible by vehicle), lawn, and the shelter of trees provide a range of spaces year-round for family picnics or to just take time out. Food, coffee and drink is available at the cafe which opens onto the Square from The Dowse Art Museum.
The Dowse Square has permanent public art installations such as Ronnie Van Hout’s ‘Fallen Robot’ (commissioned by E Tu Awakairangi Hutt Public Arts Trust) and John Reynolds’ Titoki and Lancewood Tree Rooms.
An aquifer bore supplies free artesian water from taps located on the Laings Road edge of the Dowse Square. You can bring and fill your drinking and emergency water containers. Limited free P15 car parking is available as marked.
Organised events are held from time to time in the Dowse Square such as ‘Big Day Dowse’, outdoor concerts, exhibitions, community events, sports events, and markets. Information on events may be found on The Dowse Art Museum website and on Council's Events page.
Booking inquiries for use of the Dowse Square can be directed to The Dowse Art Museum on 04 570 6666.
By modelling transport and parking options we can understand the future needs for walking, cycling, public transport, motor vehicle movement and car parking.
A base computer model has been set up and we are now able to consider the effects of future projects in the CBD.
We’re always seeking community input for our Making Places projects through your feedback to the Annual Plan each year.
We also seek input and advice from the Making Places Reference Group which consists of a diverse range of people who represent the community. The group has representatives of; tangata whenua, younger people, families, older people, disabled people, organisations such as Rotary, retail, business, environmental groups, arts/music/culture, Police, Public Health, and residents.
For more information about any of these projects please get in touch with us.