Whangārei City basin gets $3.3m infrastructure upgrade ahead of cruise ship arrival

A major overhaul of buses and facilities for visitors to the city basin has begun and paves the way for cruise ship passengers to flock to Whangārei.

After the project was frozen for 2.5 years, a $3.3 million upgrade to the city’s basin infrastructure – including stopping tourist buses, public restrooms as well as parking lots and improved footpaths – is finally underway.

Shelley Wharton, head of infrastructure programs for Whangārei District Council, said the project, which received a $1.67 million grant from the Tourism Infrastructure Fund, will improve the area for visitors and the community. at large.

“In 2020, we expected a boom in visitor numbers to our neighborhood once the Hundertwasser Art Center and Pūtahi Park opened and cruise ships began arriving in Northport.”

But then the pandemic hit and no cruise ships arrived in Northport, Hundertwasser and Pūtahi Park were delayed and the upgrade of the city’s basin, like many construction projects, was put on hold.

“We are very pleased to see this project back on schedule,” Wharton said.

The upgrades will allow tour buses to drop off and pick up passengers from cruise ships. The new layout allows tourist buses to parallel park without needing to reverse into a heavily pedestrianized area.

Northport has not yet been able to say when the first cruise ships will dock in Whangārei, but said it will be later this year.

There will also be new public restrooms near the City Basin playground and improved parking lots with more mobility-friendly parking, as well as improved pathways and landscaping.

Accessible parking has been moved to the adjoining parking lot outside the existing washrooms and will not need to be moved throughout the staging works. Once completed, additional accessible parking spaces will be distributed throughout the new development.

The upgrade means the city basin will lose about 20 parking lots.

“While there will be some loss of car parks, the new development will be safer and more efficient for buses and vehicles, while providing clearer pedestrian routes and more high-quality pedestrian spaces for this popular area. “Wharton said.

The car park currently has 70 spaces including a mobility car park and charging stations for electric vehicles.

With the new layout, there will be 50-51 parking lots.

However, work at the town basin improves pedestrian access to the nearby Carruth St car park ($2 per day) and Finlayson St car park (free).

“It’s a very exciting and rewarding time with all the developments happening in this part of town,” Wharton said.

Meanwhile, traffic disruptions will primarily affect couriers and deliveries wishing to use the service lane.

“It’s an aspect of safe design to prevent vehicles backing up in pedestrian areas.”

The existing bus station and public toilets are not affected during construction.

The upgrade is expected to be completed by May 2023.