Lower Thames Street takes shape with proposed public space trial

Published on 11 February 2025

A long-discussed trial of additional pedestrian space in Lower Thames Street will be considered by an additional meeting of Waitaki District Council at a meeting on Monday 17 February.

The proposal is to extend the pavement area between Taste Café and The Vault. It will transform into a seating, performance and activity space and focus on trialling a new road layout that will reduce the road corridor to one lane with no loss of car parking.

The Roading Subcommittee today recommended the project to full Council, who will be meeting at 9am on Monday 17th February to consider it for approval.

Eight North Otago Rugby Clubs plan to install the pavement extensions while the project team and friends will be placing the planters, seating and other features into the space.

Designs for the spaces will create “rooms” and “pathways” that create activated street scape environments connecting with the adjacent businesses. The locations in front of Taste, Victoria Lounge, and Forrester Gallery will include spaces for outdoor seating, public art, and greenspace areas. Thames Street parallel parking will be retained in the project area.

The trial is another community-led project which features in the Oamaru Central Masterplan, approved by the Mayor and Councillors in 2024.

The community-led project team have been working for many months with a number of local businesses, community groups and council to bring another masterplan project to life. Contributors to the project include Mitre 10, Waitaki Menz Shed, North Otago Rugby Association and Breens. 

People from the community including the project team members, the families that participated in the Mitre 10 Planter Painting competition and party at Friendly Bay in January. The Project team represents local companies from CREO, Gillies/Hynds, Network Waitaki, Pattersons, Streeter Concepts as well as local artists and creatives.

Councillor Jim Hopkins says “There are three reasons I like this idea. The first is it’s only a trial. Nothing’s set in concrete, no pun intended. Things can be reversed, if needs be.

The second is that it is a community initiative. It’s not a Council idea. It’s something local people wanted to try because they believed it could bring life to the street and it will create a new ‘town square’ space where people can relax and have a good time.

And finally, the third reason is that it is an idea first suggested more than 10years ago by Greg Clydesdale from Lincoln University who spoke to councillors of the day about the very high quality set of buildings at the south end of Thames Street and how the area could be developed as a great public space. So the ’town square’ idea is a way to see what that space could become.”

North Otago Rugby Chief Executive Sene Naoupu says: "Pending approval, North Otago Rugby is proud to see our players, clubs, and referees - many of whom are skilled tradesmen - giving back to the community through vital infrastructure projects. 

With the support of the Waitaki District Council and in partnership with Breen Construction and Whitestone Contracting, this initiative not only strengthens local development but also provides community-focused funding for our rugby clubs and match officials. It’s fantastic to see the community spirit behind this project, reflecting the strength of our rugby family both on and off the field."

The new space will be installed next week, and should open by Thursday February 20 subject to Council approval.

This project is funded through the Government’s Better Off Funding and contributions from the community.

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