LGOIMA Request Details: LG2493
Date received: 31/07/2026
Requested information: Covered Community Space Proposal Cost Inquiry - Request for the total ratepayer cost of design, consultation, and staff time for the proposed covered community space in Manchester Square.
Status: Complete
Date responded: 20/08/2026
Response:
Official information request -FLOW 212
I refer to your official information request dated 31/07/2026
The information you have requested is below
Council has reviewed the costs recorded to date for the Town Centre Refresh project, of which ‘Proposal 01: Covered Community Space in the Brick Quadrant of Manchester Square’ forms part.
Design
Council has incurred $50,855 excluding GST in design and associated professional costs for the Town Centre Refresh project.
Concept designs were commissioned for the first iteration of the Town Centre Refresh programme that outlines a range of activity including the proposed cover over the quadrant. As a result, Council is unable to identify the design costs specifically for the cover as it was part of a wider scope of work.
Consultation
Council has sought feedback for several years on possible improvements to the town centre. As part of this feedback process the idea for a cover over the quadrant again appeared. A proposed cover formed part of the town centre refresh concepts presented to council during the 2021-2031 and 2024-2034 long-term plan processes. Council approved investment into the town centre refresh programme in the 2024-2034 long term plan that included the cover over the quadrant and as a result the proposed investment in the town centre was consulted on. The consultation did not include concepts for the initial proposed programme of work given the funding was needed to develop those concepts.
Council is completing its initial consultation with the community now and should the cover over the quadrant proceed beyond this process, a fully notified Resource Consent process is required.
The identifiable external informal engagement cost to date is $240 excluding GST, relating to catering for engagement with CBD business owners. This engagement covered both the cover over the quadrant and the proposed one-way traffic alterations in the CBD and, therefore, the cost cannot be attributed solely to the cover.
MDC staff input
Elected members and council staff have contributed to the development of the proposals and associated engagement as part of their normal duties. Elected member and staff time has not been recorded for the town centre refresh programme and Council is unable to provide this information.
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