Hayes Paddock neighbourhood changes

We conducted an online survey, distributed brochures and held community meetings on a proposal to make two changes at the intersection of Jellicoe Drive and Plunket Terrace at Hayes Paddock, as part of the Transport Choices programme. 

The brochure had a tear-off slip people could provide feedback on and put into a box at Hayes Common cafe for Council staff to collect. 

The survey was followed up with a drop-in session at Hayes Common Cafe, and two informal pop-up conversation meetings by the bus stop at Hayes Paddock, in June 2023. There were also focus group meetings, to gather further feedback on the proposed changes, also held in June.  

The changes would make the intersection safer and help promote the Hayes Paddock community as Hamilton’s best walkable and recreational neighbourhood destination. 

Change one – intersection layout 

We asked for feedback on proposed changes to the layout of the Jellicoe Drive and Plunket Terrace intersection. Our research shows the current Y-intersection has safety and accessibility issues:  

• U-turns on the intersection  
•  poor visibility of pedestrians  
•  high entry speeds into Plunket Terrace. 

We provided two options: 

Option one: cul-de-sac option 

Option two: one way exit option 

Change two - new community space 

We asked people about creating a new community space outside Hayes Common Cafe. The community space could be either 300m2 (if the cul-de-sac option is preferred) or 220m2 (if the one-way exit option is preferred).  The space would belong to the entire community and not for exclusive use by any one group or business and will link to the Wellington St Beach and River walkway via a pedestrian crossing. The space might have furniture, planter boxes, native trees/plants, fun things to do – the ideas will be coming from the people so please tell us what you would like to see there. 

We recorded 233 submissions on the intersection layout options and analysed commentary recorded for community space ideas. 

Intersection layout: Of the 233 submissions, 42 percent preferred option one, the cul-de-sac; 28 per cent preferred option two, the one-way exit; 27 per cent opposed any change and 3 per cent had no preference. 

Community space: Most people said there was a need for seating and shelter for people to move out of the rain or sun. Many people wanted feature trees to provide shade. There was interest in fruit trees, or edible gardens as well as bike racks and a bike repair station. There was support for game play activities like hopscotch or chess, rather than a playground. Others preferred a space for art, a sculpture was suggested, so was a performance space and a space for pop-up events. The strongest functional element which came through was having drinking water at the community space. 

The feedback was provided to the Council’s Infrastructure and Transport Committee to consider, and make decisions, at its meeting on 20 July 2023. Verbal public submissions on the Hayes Paddock project and others in the Transport Choices programme were also heard by elected members. 

Decisions on the intersection layout 

Staff initially recommended option two, a one-way exit. A “revised option two” was created by councillors with advice from staff, in response to written and verbal submissions. 

The revised option provided a two-way exit from Plunkett Terrace onto Jellicoe Drive. Councillors voted 7-5 in favour of the revised option two. This is the option which will be used to make changes to the intersection, should the project move to construction phase. 

Decisions on the new community space 

Staff provided elected members with the feedback received on the community space. We will be in touch again with the community when a decision has been made.