KiwiRail safety fencing and city centre project

KiwiRail’s safety project is essential to improve safety at what its analysis has found is one of New Zealand’s most dangerous railway crossings. Hastings District Council is aligning the need to address its infrastructure issues adjacent to the rail corridor, and to work with KiwiRail to make the design as functional and attractive as possible. To delay would incur greater costs for Council, and therefore ratepayers, due to the complexities and costs associated with working in the rail corridor.

KiwiRail is essentially the lead in this project – particularly with regard to timing. It is responsible for the safety of the rail corridor, and its safety analysis identified the pedestrian crossing in the city mall as one of the most dangerous in New Zealand. The installation of a fence with pedestrian gates is a crucial part of reducing safety risks for pedestrians.

Loan funding ($2m) will pay for the replacing of the water feature including new water infrastructure, the levelling of the pavement on both sides of the water feature, the approaches including steps and accessibility slopes on the west side, paving, new carparking in the Northern Carpark near the mall, improved lighting, and landscaping.

Adjacent street upgrades (Heretaunga 100 Block and part of Market St) will be funded for from a targeted rate, paid by central city businesses.

Street upgrades are paid for by a targeted rate, paid for by city centre businesses, to fund such projects. A street upgrade of the Heretaunga 100 Block (adjacent to the mall), and a partial upgrade of Market St, will be carried out at the same time as the KiwiRail/cite centre mall project.

No, the budget for these upgrades was approved in the Long-Term Plan (LTP), prepared last year, and the project is being delivered within that allocated budget. Additionally, the KiwiRail safety works have enabled cost efficiencies, reducing the overall impact on ratepayers. Council is focused on minimising costs while ensuring the necessary improvements are made.

We understand that some may feel the improvements are a ‘nice to have’, but the infrastructure work being done is essential for the long-term viability of the centre, and to address infrastructure issues. The water features and paving are aging, with the latter becoming a safety hazard. If delayed until after the KiwiRail work, the costs to repair these issues would increase significantly. This is a pragmatic approach to maintaining the city’s infrastructure while enhancing its functionality and visual appeal.

This project will result in a safer, functional, connected and more visually appealing city centre with improved infrastructure, compared to the outcome from a purely KiwiRail design. Key benefits include:

• Improved pedestrian safety with the new fencing and gates.
• Updated water features and paving that address long-standing maintenance issues.
• Additional car parking (Northern Carpark).
• An attractive environment that enhances visitors’ city centre experience.

There will be some disruptions to access as the works are carried out. We understand the inconvenience this may cause, and we will keep the businesses and residents informed about the timeline and any access restrictions. Council is committed to minimising disruption and completing the works as efficiently as possible, while noting that KiwiRail will have its own access protocols during construction in the vicinity of the rail line.

The KiwiRail safety work is non-negotiable, and Council has limited control over the scope of that project. The project in general and budget were consulted on during the Long-Term Plan process, and it aligns with Council’s 2019 City Centre Revitalisation Plan. While we understand the desire to be involved, there was no ability for the community to have a meaningful impact on design, given the KiwiRail and budget constraints.

There will certainly be a period of disruption, but the goal is to complete the works as efficiently as possible. The project is expected to take six months (from July1 to November 30, 2025), with regular updates on timelines and progress to ensure everyone stays informed.

We welcome feedback from the community and encourage people to reach out to us with any concerns and questions: Phone 871 5000, or email customerservice@hdc.govt.nz with ‘KiwiRail city’ in the subject line.