Diggers are now on-site near the council buildings in Henderson, with contractors preparing to begin works on a road extension to better connect the Civic building and Henderson Train Station to Henderson Valley Road.
Once complete, this will provide a safe, well-lit connection making it easier for locals to access nearby streams, parks, walkways and lush green spaces.
Real change
Panuku programme director Richard Davison is delighted to see work beginning.
“For the last few years we’ve been in planning mode for our Unlock Henderson programme, undertaking critical design work, engaging engineers, infrastructure specialists and other professionals securing consents and generally gearing up to break ground on our programme of work,” says Richard.
“We are now in a position where we can start to make real change, and it’s exciting that the first project is a relatively fast one that should be completed in less than a year.”
Transformation
Henderson-Massey Local Board Chair, Chris Carter, says the work is the beginning of a transformation for the area.
“Henderson will benefit from the work that Panuku are doing here,” he says.
“This is the first step that will provide better access to the complex and heralds the beginning of the transformation of the area that will eventually see it as a busy, vibrant place we can all be proud of.”
Enhancements will also be made to the Japanese bell house and garden during this time, with a grove of cherry trees planned to stretch along the green pathway next to the road. The Japanese Bell House and garden were built in 2006 to recognise Waitakere City Council's sister city relationship with Kakogawa.
Alongside this, the works will enable Panuku to complete a subdivision of the remaining land, preparing it for future housing so that more people are able to live close to the centre of Henderson.
Construction is due to complete mid-2020 and this is the first of eight projects to improve the Henderson area over the next few years.
