There is always plenty going on around Council. Here is what you can expect to see from us in 2024:
Branxholme Pipe Upgrade
The replacement of more than 10km of aged pipeline began in mid-2022 and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. It is currently in the Myers St Reserve area and will continue on to Herbert St early this year. Visit icc.govt.nz/branxholme to learn more.
Project 1225
With Te Pātaka Taoka Southern Regional Collections Facility completed, work will now begin to move the collection items to this space, which will be finished in March. Demolition of the Southland Museum and Art Gallery will begin in April to make way for the new build, which will be completed by December 2025, and opened late 2026. Work on the tuatara facility in the animal reserve at Queens Park has started and is expected to be completed by April this year. Visit project1225.co.nz to learn more.
Bluff Hill Motupōhue Active Recreation Precinct
Work is already well under way on the mountain bike and walking trails, as well as the car park, toilets, and bike wash down area at the base of the hill. The car park will be finished in March this year, and the entire precinct will be ready to go by July 2024. Read more here.
Housing Innovation
Council is building four elderly persons housing units at a site on Stirrat St as part of its work to renovate and revitalise Council housing in the city. The work commenced on the two houses, each containing two units, mid last year, and is set to be complete by March.
Sandy Point Domain Management Plan
The opportunity to have your say on the future of the Sandy Point Domain is open on Council’s Let’s Talk page until 31 January. This will be looking at what the community wants for the Domain for the next 10 years. Consultation on a draft submission and adoption will occur later in the year. Click here for more information.
Donovan Park Masterplan
Consultation on what the community would like to see happen with Donovan Park in the next 50 years closed last year. Now, Council will assess the feedback and draft a Masterplan to deliver to Councillors later this year. Visit letstalk.icc.govt.nz to learn more.
City Block West
Council received a large amount of feedback for the future of Esk St West, stage 2 of the City Streets development. Stage One, the upgrade of Don and Esk streets, was completed last year. Submitters had their chance to voice their opinions on what should happen to Wachner Place in October and then in November, Council agreed to open Wachner Pl and Esk St West to buses. Work will be completed in stages to align with the work programme of the Distinction Hotel. Some elements will be completed by September and the remainder around Wachner Place completed over the following year. Visit letstalk.icc.govt.nz to learn more.
CCTV
Last year, Council committed $1.1 million to investigate and install CCTV across the city and Bluff after requests from the community and Police. Stage one of the project will begin in April, with the installation of 65 cameras across sites in the Invercargill CBD to be completed in June. CCTV for South Invercargill and Bluff will be considered in stage two and is likely to require further budget allocation. Click here to read more.
