Tram Shed stays put in riverside plan | Manawatu-Wanganui News | Local News in Manawatu-Wanganui

The Tram Shed will stay where it is for now, parts of Taupo Quay will be modified, and the Saturday morning market will get a covered area.

These are some of the main features of the draft riverfront precinct development plan, which was accepted in principle at the Wanganui District Council meeting yesterday before a packed public gallery.

Accepting the plan was one of the last actions of the present council ahead of the October 9 election.

The plan, which was drawn up after extensive public consultation by the council, will now go out for further input from Wanganui residents.

Urban designer Kobus Mentz gave a lengthy presentation. He spoke warmly about the tram and the market, both of which he described as "unique".

He said the Saturday morning market should be given a covered area and could be expanded to operate throughout most of the week. The covered area would be located on the green space next to the Tram Shed.

Mr Mentz said the tram should be "celebrated, built around and treasured".

"The tram and the tram shed need more certainty for their future," he said.

In April there was public outrage when the council indicated the Tram Shed would have to move to make way for parking for the new visitor information centre.

Mr Mentz also said the large carparking area on Moutoa Quay was wasted and should become a park.

The plan includes parking on both sides of Taupo Quay. While Taupo Quay would remain a dual carriageway, through traffic would be encouraged to use Bates St and Ridgway St.

The resolutions agreed were:

The riverfront precinct development plan be adopted in principle and be approved for public consultation.

Following consultation the plan be amended as required and presented to the incoming council to make final decisions before Christmas 2010.

An over-dimension (wide load vehicles) route be established along Glasgow St.

The formal process for stopping Moutoa Quay between Market Place and the City Bridge be further developed for council consideration.

Design options and preliminary costs for the proposed covered market identified in the plan be developed.

Design options and preliminary costs for modification of Taupo Quay between Bates St and Victoria Ave be developed and New Zealand Transport Agency funding be investigated.

The present location of the Tram Shed be confirmed on the basis that if in the future, during the development of the precinct, an activity considered to be more suitable for the site arises, the Tram Shed be relocated to or near the PS Waimarie end of Moutoa Quay.

Council officers initiate discussion with the Tramways Wanganui Trust on creating a more active Drews Ave frontage for the Tram Shed.

Cr Allan Anderson was the only councillor to vote against the resolutions.

In tomorrow's Wanganui Chronicle: The council gets tough on anti-social behaviour.