The Lyttelton Master Plan is the result of a close partnership between the Council, Banks Peninsula Community Board, other organisations and the highly motivated and socially connected local community.

An artist's impression of the redeveloped Albion Square.

An artist's impression of the redeveloped Albion Square.

Lyttelton fulfils an important service centre role for the other communities around Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour. 

Lyttelton’s land-based transport links, commercial centre, community facilities, heritage buildings and character were severely affected by the 22 February 2011 earthquake and warranted the preparation of a master plan [PDF, 3.3 MB] to guide its recovery and rebuild. 

Date Actions
April to May 2011
Project set up 		 Earthquake impacts assessed, scope confirmed and key stakeholders identified.
May to June 2011
Research, information gathering 		 Focus group sessions with key stakeholders and residents held. Key issues and opportunities identified.
June to August 2011
Design & feasibility testing		 Technical expert workshops held. Best ways to address issues and suggestions from the community identified via a community feedback presentation.
September to October 2011
Prepare draft master plan 		 Master plan drafted. Endorsed by Community Board. Approved by Council for public notification.
November to December 2011
Consultation 		 Public consultation held and 197 submissions received.
January to June 2012
Follow up investigations, revisions 		 Submissions analysed. Further investigations as needed. Community Board recommendation not to hear submissions endorsed by Council. Amendments to draft master plan.
June 2012
Adoption		 Lyttelton Master Plan adopted by Council.
July 2012 onwards
Implementation 		 Actions implemented by community and Council (capital projects delivered as funding made available).

The Lyttelton Master Plan contains a strategic vision to transform Lyttelton into a quality place for businesses to operate in, and people to work, live, shop, socialise and play.

The vision is supported by nine goals, which are to be delivered through thirty-one detailed implementation actions. 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 4 of the Lyttelton Master Plan [PDF, 3.3 MB].

Key successes to date include:

  • A Lyttelton marketing and attraction campaign, including new Heritage, Harbours, Hills and Historic Colonial Walks brochures.
  • London Street wifi.
  • Relocation of Lyttelton Farmers’ Market into London Street.
  • Lyttelton Harbour Community Response Plan.
  • Repair, renovation and reopening of the following community facilities:
    • Lyttelton Information Centre, April 2013.
    • Norman Kirk Memorial Pool, February 2015.
    • Lyttelton Recreation Centre, February 2016. Renovation to improve utilisation of the mezzanine area, June 2020. Activation and running by a new community-led trust, a ‘first-of-its-kind’ partnership between the Council and a community organisation, October 2021.
    • combined Lyttelton Library and Service Centre, March 2017.
  • Provision of the following new community facilities:
    • Civic square (Albion Square, including new public amenities, the relocated cenotaph and heritage and cultural references), November 2014.
    • Lyttelton Community Boardroom, September 2016.
    • Removable fence at Norman Kirk Memorial Pool, which enables year-round use of the flat lawn area next to the pool.
  • Recovery-supportive District Plan amendments, including in support of:
    • The desired pedestrian linkages through the block bounded by Norwich Quay and Canterbury, London and Oxford Streets.
    • Urban design requirements aimed at improving the pedestrian environment.
    • Public events on London Street.
    • On-site parking reductions.
    • Building design guidance.
    • Retention of built heritage.
  • An improved pedestrian crossing and bus stop installed on Norwich Quay by NZTA in April 2017.
  • Improved pedestrian connections from Voelas Road and adjacent pedestrian areas to Te Ana Marina and the waterfront completed August 2020.
  • Provision of an off-road pedestrian connection from Norwich Quay to Te Ana Marina by the Lyttelton Port Company.
  • Adoption of a Council policy to address suburban parking issues. 
  • Signposting of the Head to Head Walkway at every intersection on the route through the Lyttelton town centre.
  • Reopening of the Sumner to Lyttelton road corridor to the public, March 2019.
  • Adoption of the Naval Point – Te Nukutai o Tapoa Development Plan to improve the layout, recreation and marine facilities and linkages, December 2020.
  • Reopening of The Loons as a live music and performance venue, March 2021.
  • Establishment of the Lyttelton Design Review Panel.
  • Restoration and lighting of the Upham Clock Tower.
  • Re-facing of retaining walls on Brittan Terrace and at the Oxford Street/Exeter Street, Hawkhurst Road/London Street, Coleridge Terrace/Dublin Street and Voelas Road/Simeon Quay junctions.
  • Reinstatement of the Lyttelton Timeball and flagstaff by Heritage NZ and subsequent installation of a pou whenua – the Matariki Pou – on this significant cultural site.
  • Refurbishment of The Woolstore by the Lyttelton Port Company.
  • Reinstallation of a small historic lighthouse at the end of the eastern harbour pier close to the new cruise ship terminal, following earthquake repairs to both, November 2020.
  • Interim improvements made to access and traffic flow within Naval Point and remnant piles removed in June 2019 from a previous marina development. Structural repair work to improve the safety of the Magazine Bay Marina completed in 2020 and remnant pontoon structures on LPC land and adjacent to the recreation grounds were removed in 2020. 
  • Approval of a heritage grant to assist the retention of Kilwinning Lodge at 26 Canterbury St.
  • Various transitional projects and permanent public artworks.

To view the corresponding master plan actions, go to page 33 in the Lyttelton Master Plan [PDF, 3.3 MB].

  • The Lyttelton Historical Museum continues to refine the design of its museum rebuild, the fund-raising campaign for which was launched in February 2021.
  • Work continues on the repair and red rock re-facing of Council-owned retaining walls within the town.
  • Work has begun to repair and upgrade heritage building Kilwinning Lodge at 26 Canterbury St.

To view the corresponding master plan actions go to page 33 in the Lyttelton Master Plan [PDF, 3.3 MB].