New Brighton mall has been given a major vote of confidence, with the community board approving a $4.2 million upgrade.

The Waitai Coastal Burwood Linwood Community Board signed off the long awaited project on Tuesday, backing a plan designed to make the mall safer, more attractive and better connected as wider regeneration efforts gather pace across the seaside suburb.

The upgrade includes new paving, lighting, seating, landscaping, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure, CCTV capability, cycle stands, signage and a new central gathering area for community events and markets.

As part of the project, Brighton Mall will move from a pedestrian mall designation to a shared zone, allowing bicycles, scooters and skateboards through the space. The speed limit will also be reduced from 30km/h to 10km/h.

The work is budgeted at $4.2 million through Christchurch City Council’s Long Term Plan 2024 to 2034, with council staff saying the project is intended to support the regeneration of New Brighton’s commercial core and encourage further private development.

The board backed the preferred option, which includes the creation of a central gathering area beside the Village Green and the removal of 2 Phoenix Palm trees, while retaining the remaining 10 with new seating and irrigation around their bases.

The project builds on a series of public investments in New Brighton over the past decade, including He Puna Taimoana, the City to Sea Pathway, Marine Parade upgrades, the Beachside Playground and the New Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club.

Coastal ward community board member Alex Hewison said “I am incredibly proud to say that the board has today approved the Council part of the New Brighton Mall upgrade.

 

“This marks a significant milestone in the revitalisation of New Brighton Mall, and is happening alongside the seperate great work from Martini Developments.”

Hewison said  “Throughout its more recent some would say tumultuous period, there has been a community that has poured its heart and soul into the space, no matter the odds that were thrown at them, and that deserves significant acknowledgement.”

“From the team at the New Brighton Project, to businesses like Switch New Brighton, Paper Plus New Brighton and ITstuffed, and local hospitality joints, community groups and organisations, they have made the space safe, enjoyable and a great hub for our community, it is important we don’t lose sight of these efforts moving forward.

“From here, there is still work to do, like taking clear and decisive action on landbankers holding our community back.”

Hewison also praised Coastal councillor Celeste Donovan saying none of this could have happened without her significant advocacy and work.