Latest news with #MarlboroughDistrictCouncil
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Marlborough Council Spends Almost $1.8m On Central Blenheim Site
The Marlborough District Council has bought land beside its new Blenheim library and art gallery, earmarking it as a future space for community activities. Located between High St and Wynen St, the land is made up of five freehold titles with a total area of 1147m². The council paid $1,787,500 for the site. Mayor Nadine Taylor said the opportunity to buy the site in such a community-focused part of town was one that the council 'could not afford to miss'. 'This purchase is about future-proofing a vital part of Blenheim's town centre for future development opportunities. "The site is next to an iconic council asset – Te Kahu o Waipuna – a special building which has quickly established itself as a hub for our community,' she said. 'Council has decided to secure the site to ensure what is developed is complementary to our library and art gallery, [and] adds value to our CBD and to our community at large.' The site had been largely empty since the City Hotel building, built in the early 1900s, was demolished in 2014. While the council had no immediate plans for the area, Taylor said the purchase would open up a conversation on the future of central Blenheim. 'We [will] explore options for the best long-term use of this site. We are keen to get the community's input and this will happen as part of council's planning processes.' Group manager property and community facilities Jamie Lyall said the council bought the site for within 10% its valuation and would pay for it with a loan from existing budgets for the first year. 'This purchase shows [the] council is prepared to invest in the future of the Blenheim CBD. We know there are challenges out there for our retail sector and that the town centre has been changing over time,' Lyall said. 'Step one is to secure the site so we can then consider all future options for it and engage with the public to have their say about its longer term use. 'We have had numerous approaches to council with ideas for developments in the centre of town including parking, apartments and pocket parks.' The site's zoning had no restrictions on the type of development, and a permitted building height of up to 20m.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Council Purchases Strategic CBD Site
Press Release – Marlborough District Council This purchase is about future proofing a vital part of Blenheims town centre for future development opportunities. The site is next to an iconic Council asset Te Kahu o Waipuna a special building which has quickly established itself as … A site on High Street next to the Marlborough Library and Art Gallery at Te Kahu o Waipuna has been purchased by Marlborough District Council. The property, zoned Business One in the Marlborough Environment Plan, is made up of five freehold titles with frontages to both High Street and Wynen Street and is 1147sqm in area. Mayor Nadine Taylor said the chance to purchase a strategic site such as this did not happen often and was an opportunity Council could not afford to miss. 'This purchase is about future proofing a vital part of Blenheim's town centre for future development opportunities. The site is next to an iconic Council asset – Te Kahu o Waipuna – a special building which has quickly established itself as a hub for our community. Council has decided to secure the site to ensure what is developed is complementary to our library and art gallery, adds value to our CBD and to our community at large. 'It also gives us a chance to talk more broadly about the future of Blenheim's CBD as we explore options for the best long-term use of this site. We are keen to get the community's input and this will happen as part of Council's planning processes,' Mayor Taylor said. Group Manager Property and Community Facilities Jamie Lyall said a valution was obtained for the property and the agreed purchase price was within 10 per cent of that valution. The purchase will be loan funded from existing budgets for the first year. 'This purchase shows Council is prepared to invest in the future of the Blenheim CBD. We know there are challenges out there for our retail sector and that the town centre has been changing over time. 'Over the past three or four years we have had numerous approaches to Council with ideas for developments in the centre of town including parking, apartments and pocket parks. With this acquisition, we are demonstrating Council is committed to the future development of Blenheim's central business district. 'Step one is to secure the site so we can then consider all future options for it and engage with the public to have their say about its longer term use. We are also keen in the more immediate term to improve the site and Council will confirm the plan for this once finalised,' Mr Lyall said. With its current zoning, 100 per cent site coverage could be allowed with any development with a permitted building height up to 20m. 'It is advantageous for Council to be able to control future development of the site so that whatever is done is complementary to the library and art gallery and The Quays public space,' Mr Lyall said.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Council Purchases Strategic CBD Site
Press Release – Marlborough District Council This purchase is about future proofing a vital part of Blenheims town centre for future development opportunities. The site is next to an iconic Council asset Te Kahu o Waipuna a special building which has quickly established itself as … A site on High Street next to the Marlborough Library and Art Gallery at Te Kahu o Waipuna has been purchased by Marlborough District Council. The property, zoned Business One in the Marlborough Environment Plan, is made up of five freehold titles with frontages to both High Street and Wynen Street and is 1147sqm in area. Mayor Nadine Taylor said the chance to purchase a strategic site such as this did not happen often and was an opportunity Council could not afford to miss. 'This purchase is about future proofing a vital part of Blenheim's town centre for future development opportunities. The site is next to an iconic Council asset – Te Kahu o Waipuna – a special building which has quickly established itself as a hub for our community. Council has decided to secure the site to ensure what is developed is complementary to our library and art gallery, adds value to our CBD and to our community at large. 'It also gives us a chance to talk more broadly about the future of Blenheim's CBD as we explore options for the best long-term use of this site. We are keen to get the community's input and this will happen as part of Council's planning processes,' Mayor Taylor said. Group Manager Property and Community Facilities Jamie Lyall said a valution was obtained for the property and the agreed purchase price was within 10 per cent of that valution. The purchase will be loan funded from existing budgets for the first year. 'This purchase shows Council is prepared to invest in the future of the Blenheim CBD. We know there are challenges out there for our retail sector and that the town centre has been changing over time. 'Over the past three or four years we have had numerous approaches to Council with ideas for developments in the centre of town including parking, apartments and pocket parks. With this acquisition, we are demonstrating Council is committed to the future development of Blenheim's central business district. 'Step one is to secure the site so we can then consider all future options for it and engage with the public to have their say about its longer term use. We are also keen in the more immediate term to improve the site and Council will confirm the plan for this once finalised,' Mr Lyall said. With its current zoning, 100 per cent site coverage could be allowed with any development with a permitted building height up to 20m. 'It is advantageous for Council to be able to control future development of the site so that whatever is done is complementary to the library and art gallery and The Quays public space,' Mr Lyall said.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Council Purchases Strategic CBD Site
A site on High Street next to the Marlborough Library and Art Gallery at Te Kahu o Waipuna has been purchased by Marlborough District Council. The property, zoned Business One in the Marlborough Environment Plan, is made up of five freehold titles with frontages to both High Street and Wynen Street and is 1147sqm in area. Mayor Nadine Taylor said the chance to purchase a strategic site such as this did not happen often and was an opportunity Council could not afford to miss. 'This purchase is about future proofing a vital part of Blenheim's town centre for future development opportunities. The site is next to an iconic Council asset – Te Kahu o Waipuna – a special building which has quickly established itself as a hub for our community. Council has decided to secure the site to ensure what is developed is complementary to our library and art gallery, adds value to our CBD and to our community at large. 'It also gives us a chance to talk more broadly about the future of Blenheim's CBD as we explore options for the best long-term use of this site. We are keen to get the community's input and this will happen as part of Council's planning processes,' Mayor Taylor said. Group Manager Property and Community Facilities Jamie Lyall said a valution was obtained for the property and the agreed purchase price was within 10 per cent of that valution. The purchase will be loan funded from existing budgets for the first year. 'This purchase shows Council is prepared to invest in the future of the Blenheim CBD. We know there are challenges out there for our retail sector and that the town centre has been changing over time. 'Over the past three or four years we have had numerous approaches to Council with ideas for developments in the centre of town including parking, apartments and pocket parks. With this acquisition, we are demonstrating Council is committed to the future development of Blenheim's central business district. 'Step one is to secure the site so we can then consider all future options for it and engage with the public to have their say about its longer term use. We are also keen in the more immediate term to improve the site and Council will confirm the plan for this once finalised,' Mr Lyall said. With its current zoning, 100 per cent site coverage could be allowed with any development with a permitted building height up to 20m. 'It is advantageous for Council to be able to control future development of the site so that whatever is done is complementary to the library and art gallery and The Quays public space,' Mr Lyall said.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Be A Road Safety Hero This Road Safety Week
Press Release – Marlborough District Council Road Safety Week 2025 from 12 to 18 May recognises everyone who is working to make our roads safer and support people following crashes. This Road Safety Week, Marlburians are urged to be more vigilant near pedestrian crossings and report near misses. Council's Multi Model Advisor Charlotte Campbell-Lamerton says it is timely to remind drivers to be aware around pedestrian crossings. 'Pedestrians on a zebra crossing have right of way. Drivers should remember that this includes pedestrians who are waiting to cross or already crossing.' In Blenheim and Picton there are also quite a few 'courtesy crossings' made of bricks or paving or raised above the level of the road. 'These are intended to facilitate eye contact between pedestrians and drivers resulting in a mutually negotiated position over who goes first,' Charlotte said. 'They provide a place where drivers can stop safely to allow pedestrians to cross. Drivers are not required to stop at courtesy crossings however the official New Zealand road code recommends that drivers are courteous to pedestrians using or waiting to use a courtesy crossing.' Charlotte said Council also collected data on walking and cycling related near misses and crashes. 'This data is used to better understand road safety issues across our road and reserve network so safety adjustments can be made. Please go to Council's website and fill in the Bike/Walk Crash and Near Miss Report form about any close calls when you're out walking or cycling around Marlborough.' 'Blenheim cycle shop Bikes and Scooters recently designed a QR code to help make it easier for people to report a near miss on Council's website. This is a great example of being a road safety hero,' Charlotte said. Road Safety Week 2025 from 12 to 18 May recognises everyone who is working to make our roads safer and support people following crashes. 'It also enables everyone who uses roads to understand how they can take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others. That's a great message for us all to remember,' Charlotte said.
