What could Woodend look like after the bypass?

The public is being asked to think about what the Woodend / Pegasus area could look like after the Woodend Bypass opens.

The Waimakariri District Council is seeking feedback as it begins a review of the Woodend Pegasus Area Strategy, which was last updated in 2013.

The strategy covers a wide area, including the towns and seaside villages of Woodend, Ravenswood, Pegasus, Waikuku, Woodend Beach and Waikuku Beach.

Waimakariri district councillor Shona Powell said the area could look different once the Woodend Bypass opens.

The bypass is expected to take pressure off Woodend’s Main North Rd, which will divert from State Highway 1 to a local road.

‘‘I’ve been calling for the strategy to be reviewed for the last few years,’’ Cr Powell said.

‘‘We haven’t had a lot of real direction for the last few years, because everything that was in the old strategy was achieved, in progress or won’t happen.

‘‘It would have happened earlier, but we waited to get some clarity around the Woodend Bypass - but now it’s happening.’’

Ravenswood has seen rapid growth, with more housing was appearing in Woodend and Pegasus, and a new development is proposed at nearby Gressons Road.

Several Woodend businesses have already become ‘‘destinations’’ in their own right, including Woodend Bakery, Canterbury Honda, Woodend Nurseries and Canterbury Equestrian, Cr Powell said.

Woodend-Sefton Community Board chairperson Mark Paterson said there was plenty to consider to support growth in the area, including footpaths, cycle ways, road connections and improving safety.

‘‘Woodend and Pegasus kids are zoned for Kaiapoi, but they can’t cycle there.

‘‘Going through this process is the opportunity to identify these things and to consider what is the main street going to look like once the bypass goes in.’’

Mr Paterson said the expected growth could see the area overtake Kaiapoi as the second largest urban area in the district behind Rangiora.

‘‘When I was growing up we had to go into Christchurch or Rangiora to go shopping or go out for a meal.

‘‘But now we don’t even need to go to Rangiora.’’

Woodend School principal Andrew Retallick said the school was ‘‘excited’’ to be invited to participate in the review.

The school has seen first-hand the impact of growth in the area, as the school roll has been bulging at the seams.

Eight new classrooms are planned to open this year, with the roll now 565 and expected to grow to 630 by the end of the year.

Council strategy and centres team leader Heike Downie said an online survey has been launched on the council website and community stakeholder meetings are planned.

The council plans to consult on a draft plan later this year.

The survey is available at letstalk.waimakariri.govt.nz/woodend-pegasus-area-strategy-review until mid-May.

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.