RiverLink — Urban revitalisation

He whakarauora Tāone

Urban revitalisation

Creating a river city

RiverLink will help us to build an innovative, prosperous and attractive city.

It will turn Lower Hutt to face Te Awa Kairangi Hutt River, connecting the river and city, creating a distinctive character and more vibrant central city.

As well as improving flood protection, RiverLink will develop better transport connections in central Lower Hutt and create a new riverside area. Plans include improved walking, cycling, and public transport options which will bring development without increasing congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.

Future-focused

RiverLink aims to transform Lower Hutt, improving its resilience and connectivity. It will enable growth and address the ecological and wellbeing issues facing the city.

Historically, as commercial development centred on High Street and Queens Drive, the mainly north-south orientation of those streets and the existing stopbanks cut off the river from the city’s urban centre.

Hutt City Council is investing in new roads, a pedestrian bridge over the river, and a development site that connects with the new river edge. RiverLink embraces and celebrates the spirit of our taonga (treasure), Te Awa Kairangi Hutt River. The project aims to build the foundations of a modern, energetic city that looks to the future.

Urban revitalisation

Turning Lower Hutt into a true ‘river city’ aims to stimulate redevelopment and identify new opportunities for recreational, social and cultural activities. Beyond flood protection and transport upgrades, RiverLink aims to encourage urban growth.

There will be a range of street-level improvements, for example creating pedestrians pathways and outdoor dining areas, improved lighting and street-based markets. Our vision also includes a riverbank park and the purchase of properties to support further development.

Goals

Connection

Cycleways, pedestrian pathways, a riverside car park, new road layouts give more transport options.

Heart

Putting Te Awa Kairangi Hutt River at the heart of our city.

Vitality

Creating a lively cultural, social and economic centre.

Community

Building a unique place that helps shape our local and cultural identity.

Recreation

Creating a recreational space along the river’s edge, for walking and cycling.

Process

This partnership between Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Hutt City Council working together with Mana Whenua aims to develop better transport connections, build stronger flooding defences and create a city that is truly connected to Te Awa Kairangi Hutt River.

Funding

Hutt City Council is investing $138 million in RiverLink.

This includes a pedestrian cycle bridge between the central city and the newly relocated Melling line station, a Riverbank park, riverbank walkways and bike tracks, improvements to the look and feel of the central city and integration with the Riverbank park. It also includes upgrades to the traffic intersections near the project.

Project leadership

Partnering up allows us to do things that couldn’t be done by one agency alone. We can find areas where we can work together effectively, and bring separate projects together as one. It gives the three agencies the chance to work more efficiently, sharing funding and combining expertise.

Relevant documents

CCTP

Central City Transformation Plan

OpenDay sketch of shared use pedestrian and cyclist bridge from central Lower Hutt to Melling station