As the Western Bay of Plenty’s economic development agency, Priority One exists to grow the economy with a sustainable, value driven approach that improves productivity and delivers prosperity to local communities and people.
Essential to this future growth is the critical support of the rejuvenation of Tauranga’s city centre. Priority One is leading a co-ordinated approach on the transformation of the CBD through the Tauranga CBD Blueprint, a pivotal project showcasing the confirmed developments for the city and promoting the reinstatement of Tauranga’s city centre as the civic, commercial, and cultural capital of the Bay of Plenty.
Tauranga is Aotearoa’s fifth largest city, and an integral part of the Central North Island’s ‘Golden Triangle’. The city has long prospered as one of the major economic hubs in New Zealand, owing to its geographical location and being home to the country’s largest port.
Despite this, the city centre has experienced stagnation over past years due to the perceived lack of investment in the city, an inability to find a common vision between stakeholders, and the exodus of retail shops from the area.
Priority One has launched the Tauranga CBD Blueprint, a collaboration between developers, investors, central government, and Tauranga City Council, highlighting the strategic investment that is confirmed in the city centre before 2030.
Launched in early May, the Blueprint showcases over $1.5billion of private and public investment, highlighting 20 major developments of scale that are committed throughout the city over the next eight years.
18 private investments will see the expansion of various developments with modern accommodation, ranging from students’ residence through to luxurious city living, state-of-the-art business centres and advanced education facilities.
The new Tauranga District Court, a 5.5-star green rated facility, and proposed projects of the refreshed masterplan for the civic precinct, Te Manawataki o Te Papa form the basis of the public investment proposed for the city.
The Blueprint represents a pivotal turning point for Aotearoa’s fastest growing city. Over the coming decade, Tauranga’s CBD will be amongst the most transformed city centres in New Zealand, and the level of coordinated investment will lay the foundation for further nationwide investment.
“This Blueprint is the first of its kind for Tauranga – never before have we been able to bring together this level of certainty for the community,” says Priority One CEO, Nigel Tutt.
“The Blueprint showcases the depth of investment of those who are collectively investing billions of dollars into our local economy, building a thriving city that meets the needs of our people today, and tomorrow,” says Tutt.
The Blueprint features eight precincts which are characterised by their role, landform, relationship to significant existing amenities and proximity to infrastructure and transport.
These precincts define places with purpose and will uniquely shape the CBD to help support the expansion and investment required to ensure the city’s sustainable future.
Professor Alister Jones, University of Waikato Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor says the Tauranga Campus sits at the heart of the proposed knowledge precinct which is set for huge growth over the coming years.
“The University of Waikato campus in Tauranga city was built on the vision of Tauranga as a top destination for tertiary study. The aspiration is to increase the student population from 1,200 to 5,000 over the next 10 years, and we are actively exploring student accommodation opportunities within the CBD to support this vision for growth,” says Jones.
The developments highlighted, alongside improvements in the structural integrity of existing buildings in the city, will provide more options for the return of retailers, and in turn, it is expected the return of people into the city will come naturally.
Priority One’s Tauranga CBD Blueprint communicates a game plan for the city and will be updated with further updates over time, to further showcase the future developments which will ultimately transform Tauranga’s CBD – building a thriving city that meets the needs of our people today and tomorrow, to live, learn, work, and play.
For more information on the Tauranga CBD Blueprint, visit: www.priorityone.co.nz/cbd-blueprint
07 571 1401
info@priorityone.co.nz
www.priorityone.co.nz
