The Selwyn Street Shops Master Plan sets out a community-agreed vision for Selwyn Street and the critical actions to achieve it. It was adopted by Council in in July 2012.

Selwyn Street vision

An artist's impression of Selwyn Street Reserve after upgrading.

The Selwyn Street local people appreciated their local centre and the convenient shopping and services it provided.

They are now rebuilding their community following the earthquakes and the loss of much of its built heritage and the disruption to its retail and business life.

Taking care to plan Selwyn Street’s commercial centre post-earthquake is critical to ensure the centre will be the best it can be. 

The process used to develop the Selwyn Street Master Plan

Date Actions
July 2011
Project set up 		 Earthquake impacts assessed, scope confirmed and key stakeholders identified.
August 2011
Research, information gathering 		 Focus group sessions with key stakeholders and residents held. Key issues and opportunities identified.
September 2011
Design & feasibility testing		 Technical expert workshops held. Best ways to address issues and suggestions from the community identified.
September - December 2011
Prepare draft master plan 		 Master plan drafted. Endorsed by Community Board. Approved by Council for public notification.
December 2011-February 2012
Consultation 		 Public consultation held and 49 submissions received.
May-June 2012
Follow up investigations, revisions 		 Submissions analysed. Further investigations as needed. Community Board recommendation to hold submitters’ workshop instead of formally hearing submissions endorsed by Council. Amendments to draft master plan.
July 2012
Adoption		 Selwyn Street Shops Master Plan adopted by Council.
August 2012 onwards
Implementation 		 Actions implemented by community and Council (capital projects delivered as funding made available).

Vision, goals and actions

The Selwyn Street Shops Master Plan contains a strategic vision to transform the centre into a prosperous, attractive place for people to live and visit, to spend time and to do business.

The vision is supported by five goals, which are to be delivered through nine detailed implementation actions/projects. These encourage Council, private sector, community and government-led decision-making to align and move forward together in a logical sequence.

The vision, goals and actions are described in detail in section 2 and 6 of the Selwyn Street Shops Master Plan [PDF, 5.8 MB].

Implementation progress

selwyn street shops

New development in Selwyn Street.

Key successes to date include:

  • Three significant redevelopments have been completed or are underway in the centre. These include the retail shops along the east side of Selwyn Street and the rebuild of the church hall next to Selwyn Street Reserve.

To view the corresponding master plan actions, go to page 26 in the Selwyn Street Shops Master Plan [PDF, 5.8 MB].

Current projects

  • Funding has been allocated in the Council's 2018-28 Long Term Plan for a streetscape upgrade through the village. 
  • The Council has approved a concept plan for the renewal of the Selwyn Street Reserve, following public consultation. The project is currently in the detailed design stage and work will commence once storm water renewal works are completed through the reserve and Somerset Crescent.

To view the corresponding master plan actions, go to page 26 in the Selwyn Street Shops Master Plan [PDF, 5.8 MB].