KILBIRNIE residents are finally getting to see what’s proposed for their suburb, described by Wellington City Council as being on the city’s “growth spine”.

A Wellington City Council draft town plan outlining a makeover is just out and Kilbirnie people have been asked for their views.

The council has a budget of $220,000 for planning and design, and $1.7 million for implementation.

Residents have already said they are in favour of an upgrade and want their area to be the city’s first “green” suburb, but have yet to agree about what gets priority, with parking and roading key concerns.

“As an area of high growth, on the key ‘growth spine’ of Wellington, over the next 20 years the area will have more shops, jobs and people living and using it,” the council says.

A make-over is needed to cope with the growth and encouraging people to see Kilbirnie as a destination rather than through-traffic.

The public was consulted in afternoon workshops and public meetings in August.

Project manager Paul Kos says the meetings allowed issues and opportunities to be worked through.

“We met with the Kilbirnie town centre leadership group, which involves residential, retail and land owners. It’s been really exciting coming up with concepts and ideas for the town plan.”

Four common themes prevailed in the meetings – the need to improve the look and feel of the town centre, traffic management and parking, public transport, and the need for better shopping and a mix of uses.

Kilbirnie Community Centre co-ordinator Beryl Smythe has been concerned about whether the community centre will remain in the same location.

She thinks if the centre is moved, elderly people who attend regular drop-in sessions at the centre would not be able to reach the new location as easily.

The town plan needs to value the community feel of Kilbirnie, she says: “We don’t want a dead area. It’s a place where old people can sit down and have a chat”

The final plan will be approved in February/March, with work starting in April.

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