Pukekohe Community Civic Hub concept plan adopted

Ongoing

Pukekohe
In Progress
Urban regeneration

The concept plan to establish a Pukekohe Community Civic Hub has been adopted by the Franklin Local Board.

The plan follows community engagement on how to create a more connected and cohesive community hub.

Pukekohe Community Civic Hub concept plan adopted by the Franklin Local Board

The concept plan to upgrade Franklin: The Centre and the Pukekohe War Memorial Town Hall to establish the Pukekohe Community Civic Hub was adopted by the Franklin Local Board at its Business meeting on 26 May. See the full concept plan here.

This followed consultation with the community earlier this year - 126 survey responses were received - along with additional feedback gathered during public drop-in sessions, meetings with community hub staff and engagement with young people.

Nearly 60 per cent of respondents consider the proposed changes would deliver the vision for the project. See the full summary of public engagement here.

Key themes from feedback

Support for a more connected civic hub Many respondents support the overall concept of creating a more connected and cohesive civic hub by linking Franklin: The Centre and the War Memorial Town Hall.

Feedback indicates that improved connections between buildings and better use of currently under-utilised spaces could:

Create a clearer civic destination
Improve navigation and access between facilities
Support events, gatherings and community activity
Enable more flexible use of spaces across the site.

The proposed covered courtyard is frequently identified as a positive feature, with respondents noting its potential to support events, performances and informal community use.

Strong interest in protecting arts, cultural and heritage spaces

A significant theme throughout the engagement related to concerns about proposed changes to the arts and gallery spaces.

Many respondents expressed concern about proposals that would relocate or separate the existing galleries. Feedback suggested strong support for:

Keeping the Community Gallery and NZ Steel Gallery visible and connected
Maintaining arts spaces in prominent, accessible locations.

While the following table does not respond to all points of feedback received, it does outline the AUDO response to many submissions and points of feedback received.

What we heard	How we responded	Points for further consideration
Around 60 per cent of respondents consider the proposed changes would deliver the vision for the project.	We are making some changes to the draft concept plan presented during consultation as a result of feedback. The AUDO believes that proposed upgrades will deliver the local board’s vision.	For the around 40% who do not believe changes will deliver the vision, there are key changes to the draft concept plan that could potentially change their negative response to this question. Eg changes to the arts spaces and gallery.
Archives should stay at the Pukekohe Library.	We agree with this sentiment and have updated the draft concept plan to indicate a permanent home for archives in the library.	Note that this will need to be confirmed with library staff. A major concern from the Franklin Historical Society is that the library archive space appears to be removed they suggest that if the Old Borough Council Building were refurbished, archives from the library could be combined with the Franklin Historical Society’s collections to form a ‘Pukekohe Archives Centre.’ The Mauku Victory Hall Committee has similar feedback.
A more connected civic hub and better use of under-used and disconnected spaces is supported and will create a more welcoming, accessible, all-weather facility.	We agree and will continue to support the local board if they choose to progress with upgrades to facilities.
Some people believe that core needs such as infrastructure, maintenance, existing facilities or simple practical upgrades should come before larger redevelopment projects.	This is a matter for the Franklin Local Board to discuss.
A reduction in car parking is not supported by many respondents.	We have reviewed the proposed changes to car parking and have updated the draft concept plan to show a total reduction of 7 car parks (rather than the 10 previously indicated). A pedestrian connection to the southern end of the car park has been removed to enable reinstatement of 3 car parks.	The AUDO does not recommend reinstatement these car parks, the change is in response to feedback. Mana whenua has clearly stated that environmental improvements, such as stormwater management, are the most important components of the draft concept plan. Reinstating 3 car parks could reduce the effectiveness of environmental improvements such as stormwater management. Improvements to pedestrian access are also reduced should 3 car parks be reinstated as the proposed pedestrian connection to the southern end of the carpark would be removed. Should other options be considered?
Feedback highlights the need for mobility and disability access, stroller access, braille and tactile navigation, clear wayfinding, safe evening use, family-friendly and mobility parking, safer play locations, better handrails and walking surfaces and safe pedestrian movement.	We agree that mobility parking and access for people with reduced mobility is important. The location and exact number of mobility car parks will be determined at a later design stage. We have reinstated 3 car parks that negatively impacts pedestrian connectivity.	The local board may wish to run a car parking utilisation survey as we understand car parks are used as all-day parking by many people. Improved enforcement of timed car parking could also improve car park availability. Mobility car parking numbers could increase if a need is shown. In addition, further car park changes could be made such as providing more short-term parking and drop off areas.
Around 80% of respondents would like upgrades implemented within 10 years (combines those who would like the project delivered as soon as possible and those who are comfortable with around 10 years).	This is a matter for the local board to discuss and determine.
A strong theme from consultation is opposition to splitting or hiding the arts spaces, with people wanting the NZ Steel Gallery and Community Gallery to stay together, close to the shop, foyer and café, so they remain visible, secure and commercially workable.	In response to feedback, we propose retaining the Community Art Gallery in its existing location by the NZ Steel Gallery. We have updated the draft concept plan in response to this feedback. Arts facilities are now shown as connected and visible.	The Frankin Arts Society, while supportive of the overall draft concept plan, state a strong preference for the NZ Steel Gallery to remain in its current location, where it is visible and accessible from the café, gallery, and entrance. They also believe the Community Gallery should remain attached to the main gallery and shop so it can function as part of larger art events.
Mixed response to concept of play area / wellness area	We have renamed this space ‘family space.’ We feel that there was some misunderstanding about the proposed use for this space due to its label of ‘wellness’ space. The intention is that this space could be a creche, tamariki / childcare zone type space. We have not made changes to this space as mixed feedback was given - clear support and some opposition.	The family space (previously labelled ‘wellness’ space) could be designed to respond to feedback suggestions such as providing: · A proper parents’ room · A stroller-friendly changing areas · A bookable enclosed family and play space · An after-school youth hangout area · A low-sensory area for children and young people who find noise or overstimulation difficult.
Feedback consistently shows that the library is used for more than borrowing books. It is used for study, remote work, informal meetings, quiet sitting, social groups, support conversations, youth activities and community drop-ins.	While it is important to respondents that we do not ‘squeeze out’ core library functions, we have now included an option that shows additional booth spaces that could be used as quiet meeting spaces, workstations or other.	We propose retaining the Community Art Gallery in its existing location by the NZ Steel Gallery. This change allows us to better meet community needs by creating additional individual booths, quiet meeting rooms, and dedicated areas for quiet reading and study in the library.
Support for community kitchen and kai space but need for good oversight/management required.	This will be an operational matter for the hub to manage, but the AUDO supports the idea of an ambassador host role to support this space.
People want spaces that can do more than one thing and are affordable, so community groups use them.	The cost of booking spaces will be an operational matter, but the AUDO supports the concept of flexible muti-use spaces.
The concept of a covered or enclosed linking space for events, displays, markets, performances, workshops and informal gathering is widely supported but some people note that this space could be very hot and loud.	No changes to the draft concept plan as a result of feedback. More detailed design work would address these identified issues	The RSA is particularly supportive of the glass atrium noting it could be well used for displays and events, including military displays.

What we heard

How we responded

Points for further consideration

Around 60 per cent of respondents consider the proposed changes would deliver the vision for the project.

We are making some changes to the draft concept plan presented during consultation as a result of feedback.

The AUDO believes that proposed upgrades will deliver the local board’s vision.

For the around 40% who do not believe changes will deliver the vision, there are key changes to the draft concept plan that could potentially change their negative response to this question. Eg changes to the arts spaces and gallery.

Archives should stay at the Pukekohe Library.

We agree with this sentiment and have updated the draft concept plan to indicate a permanent home for archives in the library.

Note that this will need to be confirmed with library staff.

A major concern from the Franklin Historical Society is that the library archive space appears to be removed they suggest that if the Old Borough Council Building were refurbished, archives from the library could be combined with the Franklin Historical Society’s collections to form a ‘Pukekohe Archives Centre.’

The Mauku Victory Hall Committee has similar feedback.

A more connected civic hub and better use of under-used and disconnected spaces is supported and will create a more welcoming, accessible, all-weather facility.

We agree and will continue to support the local board if they choose to progress with upgrades to facilities.

Some people believe that core needs such as infrastructure, maintenance, existing facilities or simple practical upgrades should come before larger redevelopment projects.

This is a matter for the Franklin Local Board to discuss.

A reduction in car parking is not supported by many respondents.

We have reviewed the proposed changes to car parking and have updated the draft concept plan to show a total reduction of 7 car parks (rather than the 10 previously indicated).

A pedestrian connection to the southern end of the car park has been removed to enable reinstatement of 3 car parks.

The AUDO does not recommend reinstatement these car parks, the change is in response to feedback.

Mana whenua has clearly stated that environmental improvements, such as stormwater management, are the most important components of the draft concept plan.

Reinstating 3 car parks could reduce the effectiveness of environmental improvements such as stormwater management.

Improvements to pedestrian access are also reduced should 3 car parks be reinstated as the proposed pedestrian connection to the southern end of the carpark would be removed.

Should other options be considered?

Feedback highlights the need for mobility and disability access, stroller access, braille and tactile navigation, clear wayfinding, safe evening use, family-friendly and mobility parking, safer play locations, better handrails and walking surfaces and safe pedestrian movement.

We agree that mobility parking and access for people with reduced mobility is important.

The location and exact number of mobility car parks will be determined at a later design stage.

We have reinstated 3 car parks that negatively impacts pedestrian connectivity.

The local board may wish to run a car parking utilisation survey as we understand car parks are used as all-day parking by many people.

Improved enforcement of timed car parking could also improve car park availability.

Mobility car parking numbers could increase if a need is shown.

In addition, further car park changes could be made such as providing more short-term parking and drop off areas.

Around 80% of respondents would like upgrades implemented within 10 years (combines those who would like the project delivered as soon as possible and those who are comfortable with around 10 years).

This is a matter for the local board to discuss and determine.

A strong theme from consultation is opposition to splitting or hiding the arts spaces, with people wanting the NZ Steel Gallery and Community Gallery to stay together, close to the shop, foyer and café, so they remain visible, secure and commercially workable.

In response to feedback, we propose retaining the Community Art Gallery in its existing location by the NZ Steel Gallery.

We have updated the draft concept plan in response to this feedback. Arts facilities are now shown as connected and visible.

The Frankin Arts Society, while supportive of the overall draft concept plan, state a strong preference for the NZ Steel Gallery to remain in its current location, where it is visible and accessible from the café, gallery, and entrance.

They also believe the Community Gallery should remain attached to the main gallery and shop so it can function as part of larger art events.

Mixed response to concept of play area / wellness area

We have renamed this space ‘family space.’ We feel that there was some misunderstanding about the proposed use for this space due to its label of ‘wellness’ space.

The intention is that this space could be a creche, tamariki / childcare zone type space.

We have not made changes to this space as mixed feedback was given - clear support and some opposition.

The family space (previously labelled ‘wellness’ space) could be designed to respond to feedback suggestions such as providing:

· A proper parents’ room

· A stroller-friendly changing areas

· A bookable enclosed family and play space

· An after-school youth hangout area

· A low-sensory area for children and young people who find noise or overstimulation difficult.

Feedback consistently shows that the library is used for more than borrowing books.

It is used for study, remote work, informal meetings, quiet sitting, social groups, support conversations, youth activities and community drop-ins.

While it is important to respondents that we do not ‘squeeze out’ core library functions, we have now included an option that shows additional booth spaces that could be used as quiet meeting spaces, workstations or other.

We propose retaining the Community Art Gallery in its existing location by the NZ Steel Gallery.

This change allows us to better meet community needs by creating additional individual booths, quiet meeting rooms, and dedicated areas for quiet reading and study in the library.

Support for community kitchen and kai space but need for good oversight/management required.

This will be an operational matter for the hub to manage, but the AUDO supports the idea of an ambassador host role to support this space.

People want spaces that can do more than one thing and are affordable, so community groups use them.

The cost of booking spaces will be an operational matter, but the AUDO supports the concept of flexible muti-use spaces.

The concept of a covered or enclosed linking space for events, displays, markets, performances, workshops and informal gathering is widely supported but some people note that this space could be very hot and loud.

No changes to the draft concept plan as a result of feedback.

More detailed design work would address these identified issues

The RSA is particularly supportive of the glass atrium noting it could be well used for displays and events, including military displays.