Public Consultation Richmond Quay Improvements

Summary of Proposal

Council is proposing to make alterations to part of Richmond Quay to support its use as a Pedestrian Priority Street.

To achieve this, Council is consulting on a proposal to declare part of Richmond Quay as a pedestrian mall under section 336 of the Local Government Act 1974 (Pedestrian malls). The proposed pedestrian mall area is adjacent to the Richmond Quay Development that will contain the Greymouth Library on the second floor. Plans showing the current layout, proposed layout, and a concept image of the space are included with this summary.

What is being proposed?

Council proposes to:

Declare the highlighted section of Richmond Quay (as shown on the plan) a pedestrian mall under section 336 of the Local Government Act 1974; and

Make physical alterations to the area to create a safer, attractive, green, and people-focused public space.

The proposal would result in part of Richmond Quay functioning as a pedestrian priority street, where pedestrians are prioritised, and vehicle access is restricted to specific approved purposes.

How would access work?

If a pedestrian mall is declared:

General traffic would not be permitted to drive, ride or park vehicles in the pedestrian mall area.

Vehicle access would only be allowed in limited situations, including:

• Emergency services.
• Authorised service and maintenance vehicles.
• Approved deliveries and collections, subject to conditions set by Council.
• Approved events, subject to traffic management and Council approval.

Why is this being proposed?

Construction of the Richmond Quay development, including the Greymouth Library, began in August 2024. The closure of part of the street (Richmond Quay) to daily traffic is to allow the area to be transformed into an attractive, green public space.

Consideration was given to keeping the street open to traffic; however, due to the road width required, on-street parking would no longer be possible and the space would not function well for either vehicles or pedestrians.

No additional financial investment is required to carry out this proposed change, as the proposal can be accommodated within existing approved budgets. If the area were to remain open as a road (without on-street parking), the cost to reinstate the road to an appropriate standard is expected to be higher than the cost of implementing the proposed pedestrian priority street.

What would change?

If the proposal proceeds:

• The area would be grassed and landscaped to create a green public space.
• Bollards would be installed to restrict general traffic while allowing emergency access.
• Drainage improvements would be installed, as the area is low-lying.
• The space would be available for pedestrian use and community activities.

The street has been temporarily closed since construction on Richmond Quay and the Greymouth Library development began.

Plan