Timaru
CityTown

Purpose

Council’s investment in the public realm is not a global solution but, to be effective, must rather unlock opportunities and motivation for private investment and voluntary community-led behaviour change, such as transport mode shift and residential uptake. Creating and caring for welcoming places and spaces which meet the needs and wants of present and future generations is a process we are all involved in.

To continue to attract people and to further enhance the vitality of the Timaru city centre, together we need to build on existing momentum to recreate a place where people want to spend time and to invest in. We want our CityTown to be a desirable home for residents, a thriving and innovative place to do business, and a destination people of all ages want to experience.

A significant increase in urban population is needed so that Timaru CityTown can sustain its economic, social and cultural vitality. We need more people to support local businesses, to attend events, to walk down the streets and sit at cafes. We need more people enlivening the vacant buildings with new creative energy, mixing and mingling and growing social and community connectedness.

Timaru CityTown must therefore develop a strong pull factor to support the efforts of current stakeholders and to attract additional ‘urban pioneers’ to revitalise the heart of Timaru. All actions must be in service of filling the centre with people, be they locals, returning Timaruvians or new residents attracted to the unique lifestyle.

In designing solutions to achieve this end Council will take a long term, sustainable, strategic view, future proofing the Timaru city centre for many years to come.