Traffic management trial
6 months from December 2024 to June 2024
The plan
Changing the South Strand (past Russell Fresh to Haratu) to a pedestrian area, and the North past the Duke to a Shared Zone, required changing the access and egress at the Cass Street intersection to avoid congestion. Originally intended to be a space for visitors and the community when beautified by Russell 2000, in the last 10 years or so, it has become a carpark. Visitors arriving by sea were having to navigate a constant stream of cars which was not only dangerous, but detracted from the natural beauty of the waterfront, and the jewel, the Waharoa entrance way to town.
This too is now a Shared Zone, with pedestrians having priority. Shared Zones remove street elements such as markings and signage, and introduce seats and landscaping. These items are designed to provide traffic calming measures that reduce the volume of traffic as well as slow it down
Find out more about:
Design inspiration
The design for the Cass Street and Strand intersection was inspired by the history of Kororāreka Russell and tells the story of our past.
The iconic Waharoa which welcomes our manuhiri (visitors) to the town creates the setting for other elements of the story to be told.
- The Whales Tail at the entrance to the wharf speaks to the moana and sea which surrounds the peninsula on three sides, and the whaling history which took place here after the arrival of Europeans in the late 18th century
- The rock gardens echo the shape of a Koru , the shape of a spiral, whose proportions are divine by nature. It symbolizes new life, growth, strength, rebirth and peace.
- The barrels are a nod to the reputation of Kororāreka as the Hell Hole of the Pacific; notorious for its grog shops and rowdy behaviour.
- The planters have a touch of metal around the edges, acknowledging the industrial past of Kororāreka, a working port and a hub of industry, an economic powerhouse in the South Pacific from the 1820s onwards.
Frequently asked questions
All sorts of stories and rumours have been flying round, get the facts here!
This isn’t a trial, it is permanent!
This is most definitely a trial, and it was far harder to create a temporary solution rather than permanent. All the planters can be moved with a forklift, likewise the barrels can be moved away. The rock gardens have been placed on top of the road, and no concrete or tarmac was dislodged. It can be removed by digger in the same way it was placed there.
Who is allowed to drive down the South Strand?
The trial to pedestrianise the South Strand still allows access to certain groups of users. These include:
1. Emergency Services
2. Residents and Businesses based on the Strand who need to access their property
3. Essential services, such as couriers, trades people etc and others who need to use the Strand, for example dropping off elderly to a restaurant.
Because this is a trial, no permanent bollards have been installed, and this is effectively an honesty system.
It was all the newcomers to town that voted for this change, they want to change the town!
Actually the community has been trying to make this change for over 50 years, since the pines were cut down and replaced with Pohutukawa after the war. Articles from the Russell Review in 1978, the Northern Advocate in the 1980s all show the Community Council asking for this change and being over riden by the Council, some of whom had vested interests!
Tangata whenua don’t support this change?
Not true. We asked during the voting process whether people identified as Tangata Whenua and 19% said they did. Within that 19% there was a slightly higher percentage of votes for retaining the status quo, but still only 38% wanted the status quo. This isn’t a race issue, don’t make it one.
Who do I speak to if I have issues?
The Contact form on this website goes to the Council and who will respond to your query. If you want to provide general feedback, comments and suggestions for improvements on the trial, you can also complete the online Feedback Form. All feedback is being recorded and will form part of the analysis at the end of the trial.
What is happening at the end of the Trial, who decides?
Ultimately the community will be asked what they want to happen, and the Workgroup will make a recommendation to the Council. The Council will however, have the final say. The actual timing and process for this is still being worked on, but again feedback about these next steps has been listened to.
Who is involved?
The Traffic Management Working group is drawn from members of the community representing businesses on the North Strand, Cass Street and the South Strand, along with an accessibility representative, members of the steering committee and tangata whenua. Council Staff on the working group including the Planning Department and the Roading Department to ensure legislative compliance with road changes. Russell Menzshed built the planters for the project and the Russell Gardening Club have planted all the planters and gardens. The Designer and Community Board representative have each volunteered hundreds of hours assisting with the project and volunteers are watering the plants.