Between March-April 2023 Council undertook public engagement on the proposed Fale concept (see image below) within the wider park.

On the 8th June 2023, the Council’s Environment and Infrastructure Committee approved a number of recommendations in relation to Frank Kitts Park which included:

• progressing the development plan (refer to image below) for resource consent submission (see definition of resource consent in 'What are the next steps?' below); and
• agreeing to the first stage of Landowner Approval for the Fale (that it is in line with the Council’s Waterfront Framework).
• Following analysis of the engagement data and the Councillor decision to progress the Development Plan and Fale proposal, the results and responses to concerns raised can be accessed on the right-hand side if on a computer and at the bottom if on mobile.

The Fale Malae Trust will put together a resource consent submission in relation to the Fale proposal. A resource consent is a written decision about a building project that may affect the environment or your community. The rules for this are set out in our District Plan.

The Council will also be required to submit a resource consent in relation to the demolition of the car park, the updated design of the Chinese Garden of Beneficence, and the wider integration works.

Further design and technical work is required prior to the submission of this consent to determine requirements such as plaque relocation options and further details around landscaping.

In September 2021, Wellington City Council made the decision to demolish the earthquake prone car park in the south-west corner of Frank Kitts Park (timing to be confirmed).

The Fale Malae Trust is proposing to build a Fale (building) which would replace the current car park structure with a smaller footprint and include multi-purpose spaces, as well public toilets, dragon boat facilities and a café.

These decisions resulted in a need to create a new Development Plan which would incorporate the demolition of the car park, introduction of a Fale building and the original consented Chinese Garden of Beneficence.

The Fale project is not a Council-led project, however costs will be required for the demolition of the car park which is needed due to the seismic integrity of the current building, the park re-development post demolition and the Garden of Beneficence which is already funded through the Long-Term Plan in 2024/25.

Members of the public had another chance to have their say in relation to costs through the Long-term Plan consultation.

Whilst the landowner approval process has now been initiated there are a number of approval stages, prior to the Council granting transfer of the land to the Fale Malae Trust, which include:

resource consent approval for the demolition of the existing car park

resource consent approval for the Fale building

Long-term Plan funding approval for Car Park demolition and park integration works

the Council’s approval of the Fale Trust’s commercial terms and operational plan.