The total budget for the project is $1.7 million. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is funding 90 percent of this, with Council’s 10 percent contribution consisting largely of officers’ time for managing the project.

Find out more about NZTA’s Streets for People programme here.

Once completed, these trial interventions will only serve to slow speeds and improve pedestrian accessibility on the main street.

Recent important changes to the final designs and implementation plans respond to central government's nationwide pause on the use of raised platforms on state highways in February 2024 as well as the successful installation of two raised safety crossings in October 2023, ongoing consultation with the community and co-design group, and results from safety audits of the planned interventions. These changes include:

• night works to minimise disruption to motorists, with no planned daytime construction or detours.
• a temporary roundabout (centre is pre-cast concrete, surrounded by asphalt) at the intersection of Ruataniwha Street and State Highway 2 to slow traffic entering Waipawa from the south and improve vehicle movement at that intersection.
• two flat (at street level) pedestrian crossings with safety lighting, one near BP and one near the library.
• a raised centre island near Madge Hunter Park to narrow the carriageway and slow traffic as it approaches the roundabout.
• new signage and road markings to slow traffic as it approaches Waipawa from the north and south, and at the Waverley/Church streets intersection.
• additional plants and planter boxes to provide visual cues to help slow traffic.
• removing plans for a cycleway through town.
• retaining all car parks accept one, to allow for the new flat pedestrian crossing near the library.

As officers worked through different options for a cycleway through town, several safety issues were raised by traffic engineers through safety audits they conducted. In addition, throughout the Streets for People consultation to date we have heard consistent feedback from our community that there is limited support for a cycleway. The traffic calming interventions will still make the main street safer for cyclists through the slowing of traffic.

The main purpose of installing the flat (at street level) pedestrian crossings is to make the road safer by slowing the traffic down, and more accessible for people while encouraging them to enjoy Waipawa’s main street. Streets for People allows us to answer the Waipawa community’s call for a safer, connected and future-focused main street that we heard clearly during our Waipawa Town Plan consultation, Integrated Spatial Plan consultation, and through a community petition and campaign advocating for a safer main street. A safety audit has been completed with no concerns for the two flat (at street level) pedestrian crossings but as they are temporary interventions with a view to permanency, they will be closely monitored and if proven ineffective, they can be removed.

The traffic calming interventions into and through Waipawa slow traffic and encourage visitors to stop and enjoy the main street. They include the crossings and roundabout but also the planter boxes and bollards that will serve as safety interventions and enhance the vibrancy of the town.

Only one car park will be lost as a result of the Streets for People changes to Waipawa's main street and that is to allow for the new flat (at street level) pedestrian crossing near the library.

There is already one mobility park at the southern end of the Museum car park and a second one will be added at the northern entry to the Museum car park on the main street.

Click here for a map illustrating where the mobility car parks are in Waipawa.

These changes are considered ‘low cost and low risk’, with the ability to remove, relocate and replace the interventions quickly if they do not prove effective. Once the trial solutions are in place and all works completed, we will monitor and assess what is working and what is not. If successful, the trial changes will remain in place until we can secure a permanent change. If unsuccessful in improving the safety and accessibility of the main street in Waipawa, they will be removed or relocated.

You will have an opportunity to give your feedback after construction is complete.

You will have an opportunity to give your feedback after construction of the interventions is complete. We welcome your thoughts and ideas to help us shape the best possible outcome for Waipawa.

Harker Street does not qualify for Streets for People funding; however, we have listened to community feedback and are pleased to announce Council has secured external funding to restore vehicle access to this important connection in Waipawa. Work began on reinstating Harker Street on Monday 27 May and will be completed in July, weather dependent.

Funding has to date been the barrier to restoring the protective structure on both sides of the bridge and we are grateful for the patience shown by the Waipawa and broader community during this time.

Harker Street to reopen to vehicles | News & Updates | Central Hawke's Bay District Council (chbdc.govt.nz)

The funding for this programme is only available within a certain time frame and must be used before 30 June 2024. The budget is specifically allocated for safety improvements and accessibility on Waipawa’s main street.