Detailed design plans can now go ahead for Alexandra’s riverside park development, first formally mooted five years ago.

In 2017 a group of local business people formed the Alexandra Riverside Park Trust to progress an idea of rejuvenating lower Tarbert Street.

The aim was to create a modern and inviting new public space at the junction of the Mata-au/Clutha and Manuherekia Rivers. 

The vision, according to a Central Otago District Council report, was to integrate the two rivers and adjacent riverside with the pedestrian heart of Alexandra. 

“This would become a space for family-friendly recreation and community events, as well as being a destination for cyclists and walkers using the network of local trails,” the report said.

“This improved and revitalised space will be the building block from which businesses and activities in this area can grow.”

Yesterday (Tuesday September 6)  the Vincent Community Board decided a draft concept plan of what the park would look like can be developed in more detail.

Council earlier allocated $650,000 to be raised through a loan, toward planning and construction work for the project. It was likely a Tourism Infrastructure Fund grant of $325,000 would be able to be used on the project to offset a chunk of the loan amount.

Late last year the draft concept plan was developed for the site and consultation was held with iwi representative organisation, Aukaha, which, the report stated, has a significant cultural interest in the site, being the meeting point of both the Clutha Mata-au and Manuherekia rivers.

“Aukaha is working closely with council on this project.”

Resource consents are being progressed with both the Otago Regional Council (ORC) and Central Otago District Council for the development, yesterday’s meeting heard.  

A pontoon anchored in the river was thought to be the only potentially ‘problematic’ issue under the ORC’s umbrella of responsibility.

A public survey on the project attracting 86 responses had yielded very positive feedback with only two respondents ‘strongly disagreeing” that it would revitalise the area.