Kaikōura waterfront development: Roading plans revealed

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Kaikōura’s much anticipated waterfront development will have space for almost 100 car parks, while a 30kph speed limit will be introduced near the area.

The Kaikōura District Council approved the detailed design of the roading and parking to support the Wakatu Quay development at a council meeting on Wednesday, September 25.

The detailed design for a proposed hospitality building, the civil works for the site and landscape design have already been approved, with local firm LMC Building and Construction due to begin to the build next month.

Chief executive Will Doughty said the council planned to tender for roading works next month, with the aim of getting the work under way in March or April next year.

‘‘We will need to work in with the builder and by then hopefully some of the heavy civil work will be done.’’

Kaikōura District Council roading engineer James Prentice said careful planning will be required and staff will engage with the local residents about the likely disruption during the construction period.

The design includes creating 96 parks, a raised pedestrian crossing, a reduced speed to 30kph and a footpath along the waterfront made from crushed limestone.

Wakatu Quay is a major project for the town and was made possible thanks to a $10.18 million grant from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in 2019.

The area suffered extensive damage in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016.

The new development will have a seafood theme, with a hospitality business expected to operate in the first building, which is expected to be completed by the summer of 2025-26.

The Kaikōura Marine Development Programme team is hoping to enhance the surrounding environment as part of the build.

It has been working with Project Wellbird, run by the Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust, to create ‘safe zones’ where penguins are known to nest near Wakatu Quay and around South Bay.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.