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. 

The process used to develop the Lyttelton Master Plan

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).

Vision, goals and actions

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].

Implementation progress

Key successes to date include:

  • A Lyttelton marketing and attraction campaign.
  • 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.
    • 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.
  • A Lyttelton Design Review Panel has been trialled for 18 months and is currently being reviewed.
  • An improved pedestrian crossing and bus stop were installed on Norwich Quay by NZTA in April 2017.
  • The 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.
  • 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 St and Voelas Rd/Simeon Quay junctions. 
  • The reopening of the Sumner to Lyttelton road corridor to the public, March 2019. 
  • Reinstatement of the Lyttelton Timeball and flagstaff by Heritage NZ.
  • Refurbishment of The Woolstore by the Lyttelton Port Company.
  • Interim improvements were made to access and traffic flow within Naval Point along with removal of remnant piles in June 2019 from a previous marina development.
  • New terms of reference have been prepared for the Lyttelton Design Review Panel following a successful trial and staff review, and funding has been secured in the Annual Plan for the panel to continue operating.
  • A heritage grant has been approved 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].

Current projects

  • Public consultation on two options for the future development of Naval Point was carried out in June/July 2019. This initial round of consultation will help inform a draft Naval Point Development Plan that will provide an improved lay-out, recreation and marine facilities and linkages. A second round of public consultation is expected to be carried out by mid-2020.
  • Structural repair work to improve the safety of the Magazine Bay Marina is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.
  • Council staff are investigating changes to current District Plan requirements for on-site car parking applicable to commercial development in the Lyttelton town centre.

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