Thanks to Project Team and Community Partners

Published on 20 February 2025

With the Thames Street Public Space trial open from Wednesday 19 February until the end of March 2025, recognition should be given to all of those involved in the project.

The Community Led Project, part of the Central Ōamaru Masterplan and CBD Revitalisation, used Government Better Off Funding to deliver a long-discussed but never tried expansion of pedestrian space in Lower Thames Street.

Thanks to the project team; Richard Scott, Kelvin Cunningham, Craig Conlan, Susan Colquhoun, Robyn Hyde and Mike Harrison for their dedication and commitment as well as the passion they have for their community for more than a year of planning, pivoting and progressing a bold project for the CBD Revitalisation.

Cyndi Christensen, Placemaking Lead says: “The team cannot be thanked enough for their endurance, laughs and smiles and even the collegial debates. Their contributions were done around their jobs, families, and other community and life commitments. They even brought in others to help work on the project, David Shearer, Dugal Armour and Mark Allan, who jumped in on design, mapping the site and lots of painting! Ōamaru should be proud to call them residents.”

As part of the Lower Thames Street Trial, Waitaki District Council worked with community groups, MenzShed and the eight clubs of the North Otago Rugby Football Union (NORFU). For installing in February, amending the space throughout the six weeks and removing the trial space in late March, as well as developing seating and planters, each group received a koha of $1000. This was not ratepayer funded but came from the Better Off Funding.

Over 30 skilled tradies put in five hours of work on Tuesday 18 February, and will put in similar efforts in late March. Others have also spent time constructing the seating and planting for the space. Council received many more hours value worth of skilled, community spirited work from these groups in comparison to the koha, which has allowed this project to proceed for the benefit of Ōamaru.

We offer our sincerest thanks to all of the community partners who have worked with the project team to deliver this trial.

Mitre 10 also supplied timber for the planters and generously hosted the planter painting party and worked with the installation team to ensure they had supplies needed for the install.

The work on Tuesday evening is not complete, and as part of the trial, more will be added to the space and different setups tried over the next six weeks. More seating is being completed now by Waitaki Menz Shed, and should be delivered shortly.

Council will be opening a public feedback form at the start of March, and gathering community feedback on social media and from people using the space during this time.

ENDS