Whanganui letters: 'Vic Ave should be more than a parking lot'

An interpretation of the proposed lower Victoria Ave revamp. Image / Supplied

It would be a shame to block the new Victoria Ave street project only because of objections to reduced parking spaces.

Today in most towns or cities people don't normally expect to park their car directly outside the place they want to visit, so I am not sure what the business owners' concern is, especially as a more attractive area will bring in more customers.

The area as it stands is looking rather grim, needs revitalisation and the new appearance of Drews Ave is popular with people I have met.

Lower Victoria Ave should look like more than just a parking lot.

Adrian Hart
Whanganui

Look to future

I strongly support continuing with the lower Victoria Ave trial as planned.

Collaboration and co-design is not the late and loudest voice wresting control of the design pencil.

Consultation was done well and done widely.

For any change there will always be people who believe it must have not been well advertised.

My view is consultation and information sharing has been done exceptionally well in what I've seen from attending a November 2020 meeting to walking lower Victoria Ave yesterday and seeing the feedback and comments mailbox.

The designs are innovative and edgy - just what you want in a trial.

This is exactly the agile design and development principles that success is built on in the entrepreneurial and IT world - short collaborative co-design, rapid deployment, rapid review and readjustment.

Yes, it makes those used to status quo uncomfortable. Fear and status quo are not good reasons for revision or rejection of deployment of this project as planned.

I can't say enough how proud of our planning and Town Centre Rejuvenation staff for grabbing this windfall funding and doing the mahi to release and realise the potential in it for street level rejuvenation rather than just funding consultants and reports (that from a retired consultant).

Well done Hamish Lamp, Ellen and all staff involved.

Kia Kaha to do what's right not what's easy. Listen to but don't be derailed by this late and loud opposition to even a trial of change.

I hope all elected members will back our staff and together continue delivering on this mahi that looks to the future of Whanganui that is built on, but not limited by, the past.

James Barron
Whanganui district councillor

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