Work is underway to tie in the upgrade of the Whitianga Town Centre with the 250th anniversary since Captain Cook first came to Mercury Bay.

The Mercury Bay Community Board has requested Council staff finish off the details for the remaining sections of work around the concepts and design plans for Whitianga Town upgrade.

A concept design of the intersection at Albert and Lee streets, as part of the Whitianga Town Centre Upgrade. Image: TCDC

The request was made at the board's latest meeting last week and includes the scope of infrastructure and more planning details on specific areas around the town.

The Thames-Coromandel District Council says in its Long Term Plan they have $3.1million over the next five years allocated towards the town centre upgrade.

Once those requirements have been met a report will be sent to council to approve a full business case.

'There's been a lot of plans and reports over a number of years on this project,” says Mercury Bay Community Board chairperson Paul Kelly. 'We have a high level concept design but we want to talk with our communities before we get into the finer details.

'One of the things we're united on is that there will be a ‘navigation theme' based on the links between Kupe and Captain Cook.”

Paul adds: 'The upgrade will include the Esplanade and the linkages between it and the Albert St shops to develop an integrated town centre.”

The board also wants to ensure the majority of work in the completed by late 2019 to tie in with the 250 year commemorations since Captain Cook landed at Mercury Bay.

For more information about the Whitianga Town Centre Upgrade visit the Thames-Coromandel District Council's website at: www.tcdc.govt.nz/whiticentreupgrade