A concept for the future of the Ōpanuku Link in Henderson has been given the green light, with $2.5 million of funding allocated to the project.
Henderson-Massey Local Board agreed to approve the design of the overall Ōpanuku Link project, made up of enhancements to the Ōpanuku Reserve, a new cycling bridge to Corban Estate and an upgrade to Henderson Valley Road that will include a new pedestrian crossing.
One of the initial projects will see the enhancement of the reserve in Henderson to incorporate natural play opportunities developed on the theme of papa tākaro whānau (family play).
Henderson-Massey Local Board Chair Shane Henderson says the work will bring a significant change to the area.
“One of our key aspirations in the Henderson Implementation Plan is to reconnect with the Corban Estate Arts Centre, and the link will achieve that goal. It will bring our community closer together and provide better places for recreation and play."
Road transformation
“Henderson Valley Road will be transformed into a more pedestrian-focused environment, with cycle lanes, a narrowed carriageway and street tree planting. This will go a long way towards making the road safer for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles and at the same time provide better amenities.
“It will also enhance the quality of life, mauri of the twin streams and social and special connectivity.
“At the moment, the Ōpanuku Reserve is poorly utilised as it is often waterlogged in winter and has a poor-quality playground which is hardly used.
“As part of the development it will get better drainage, new paths, additional stream planting and an arts bridge to link with the Corban Estate Arts Centre. As well as the new play area there will also be a pump track.
New bridge
“The bridge will be thematically designed to reference the movement of the wings of the long-tailed bats that frequent the Ōpanuku Stream corridor, while the design will minimise the impacts on the ecology by using suspension methodology.
“It has also been designed to reinforce the presence of the stream, natural history of the area, the suite of art bridges within Henderson as well as it providing the key entrance to the Corban Arts Estate.
“We are really excited about this development and are very much looking forward to the project getting underway.”
Collaborative design
The Ōpanuku Link project is part of the over-arching plan to transform Henderson into an urban eco-centre and is being lead by the city’s regeneration agency, Panuku Development Auckland.
Panuku Principal Landscape Architect Leo Jew says the project is a great demonstration of the value of a collaborative approach to design with mana whenua.
“From the outset it’s been really important to us to work with local mataawaka in our design and planning to ensure we incorporate the significance of the area. The end result is a stunning design that weaves in elements of local wildlife and ecology and it’s a pleasure to have been involved.”
Resource consent and tender documentation process will now begin, with stage one of the works planned to begin in November 2019.
