Henderson-Massey Local Board has allocated $1.5 million to better connect Opanuku Reserve, Henderson Park and Corban Estate Arts Centre to the Henderson town centre and train station through walking and cycling infrastructure.
The Opanuku Link project is part of an over-arching plan to regenerate Henderson. It will be facilitated by the city’s regeneration agency, Panuku Development Auckland in concert with Auckland Transport.
Henderson-Massey Local Board Chair Shane Henderson says the end result will greatly enhance access within Henderson’s town centre.
“Residents, visitors, and particularly commuters, will be able to move more easily and freely between the train station, Opanuku Reserve, Corban Estate and Henderson Park. The library and shops will also be more accessible,” says Henderson.
“Part of the plan for Henderson is to see it become an urban eco-centre. This project will help deliver this vision by creating a shared path through Opanuku Reserve to Corban Estate, a pedestrian and cycle bridge over Opanuku Stream, a pedestrian crossing over Henderson Valley Road and wheel ramps for bikes at the train station.”
The board also allocated $1 million to enhance Opanuku Reserve itself with play amenities using a proposed theme of a whanau papatākaro (Māori family play area).
Panuku Director Design and Place Rod Marler says securing the allocation of funds signals the start of significant collaboration between the wider council and Henderson community.
“The Opanuku Reserve will be transformed from an underused space to a safe, vibrant area for the community to enjoy. The delivery of a bridge and new cycling connections will provide safer and more accessible ways for people to access the town centre.”
“This project will also support future development of high-quality, medium-density housing on council land nearby,” says Marler
Panuku will progress with planning, design and consenting for the Opanuku Link project and anticipate that physical works will begin in 2019.
