Final design decided for Orakei Basin balustrade

The NZ Transport Agency is pleased to announce that following a second round of public feedback the design and materials of a replacement balustrade for the Orakei Basin boardwalk has been selected. The Orakei Basin boardwalk forms Section 3 of the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Path, a seven kilometre walking and cycling path, connecting people with routes at Pt England and Tamaki Drive.

The balustrade that has been selected comprises a mix of metal and wood, with thin metal slats to provide the best visibility of the surrounding area. It was the preferred option in a second round of consultation about a replacement balustrade for this section of the path. This option received 67% of votes (156 votes) from the 233 people overall who took part in the survey.

The combination of materials and design also provides better visibility which was important to people and is likely to tie in better with other balustrade designs planned for sections 2 and 4 of the shared path.

The Transport Agency’s Director of Regional Relationships Steve Mutton says it understood from the community that the height of the balustrade was a key design element.

“During the process to change the balustrade from what was originally designed, we established the community wanted whatever we built to be only 1.2 metres high and not 1.4 metres, because people said that 1.4 metres high blocks the beautiful views across the basin. We are pleased that we are able to deliver that outcome for the community as we know that this area is precious to locals and a real treat for visitors.”

“It has been a more difficult process to establish the preferred materials and design of the balustrade but we are pleased that this round of feedback is quite clear that people prefer the mostly metal option.”

“It is also in line with a very important theme that came out during both rounds of consultation including the two open days. People are keen on a design that allows them the best view of the surrounding area.”

“The Transport Agency knows there is also support for a design that replicated the all wooden balustrade that was there originally but this is not the majority view that has emerged during two rounds of consultation.”

We are now focused on getting the new balustrade manufactured and installed as soon as possible so that this section of the path can be fully open for everyone to enjoy.

The boardwalk is expected to be finished by the middle of 2019. The Transport Agency is grateful to the public for their feedback and also for their patience while the work is undertaken to complete this section of the path.

Feedback about Section 2 of the shared path was also sought during the past few months and results from that round of consultation will be available early next year.

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