Hamilton City Council is investing in a safer, more welcoming central city as new development, businesses and private investment continue to build momentum in the heart of Hamilton Kirikiriroa.
At yesterday’s City Prosperity Committee meeting, elected members approved up to $382,000 for the next package of central city improvements, including better lighting through priority areas and a Hamilton Kirikiriroa sign for Garden Place.
The investment comes as the latest Quality of Life Survey shows almost 80% of Hamiltonians feel safe in the central city during the day, but that drops to 35% at night.
Hamilton City Deputy Mayor and City Prosperity Committee Chair Geoff Taylor said the results showed why Council needed to keep focusing on making the central city a place where people feel safe and want to spend time.
“It’s encouraging that most Hamiltonians feel safe in our central city during the day, but we know people feel differently at night and there is more work to do,” Taylor said.
“Better lighting is one practical thing we can do to help people feel safer. Alongside that, we need to keep focusing on the things that make the central city welcoming and give people more reasons to come in and enjoy it.”
The $382,000 investment sits alongside Council’s wider central city programme, including a dedicated central city maintenance role, increased activation and events and targeted steam cleaning.
Taylor said a strong central city was an important part of Hamilton’s wider economic success.
“There’s no single project that transforms a central city. It’s the combination of private investment, new businesses, good public spaces, events and getting the everyday things like safety, lighting, cleanliness and maintenance right.
“A thriving central city gives businesses confidence, attracts further investment and gives people more reasons to live, work and spend time here.”
The Committee also received Council’s latest Economic Overview, including insights from businesses across manufacturing, technology and innovation, and logistics sectors where Hamilton has established strengths and opportunities for further growth.
Businesses Council spoke with across all three sectors reported confidence in their outlook, while also identifying transport and infrastructure capacity, operating costs and access to specialist skills as factors that could influence future investment and growth.
Taylor said the findings showed there was plenty of opportunity ahead for Hamilton.
“Hamilton has real economic momentum. We have businesses investing, innovating and looking for opportunities to grow, alongside some significant strengths in manufacturing, technology and logistics.
“The challenge for us is making sure we create the conditions that allow that momentum to continue. Businesses need good infrastructure, strong transport connections, access to skilled people and a city where people want to live, work and invest.”
The report highlights Hamilton’s nationally significant role in logistics, supported by Ruakura, road and rail freight connections and the city’s strategic location in the upper North Island economy.
Technology and innovation businesses reported solid sales, growing pipelines and continued expansion into offshore markets, while parts of the manufacturing sector were particularly positive about opportunities in food processing, advanced manufacturing, packaging, automation and export-focused industries.
Hamilton City Council General Manager Strategy, Growth and Planning Blair Bowcott said listening directly to businesses gave Council valuable insight into the factors influencing investment decisions.
“These conversations help us understand where businesses see opportunities, what’s influencing their decisions and what could potentially get in the way of future growth,” Bowcott said.
“That evidence can help inform our infrastructure and planning, investment attraction and advocacy. We also want to tell Hamilton’s economic story through the businesses, people and investment behind it and show why Hamilton is the place to invest.”
Council is also beginning work on a new Economic Development Strategy. Hamilton’s existing Economic Development Agenda was adopted 14 years ago, and the new strategy will set clearer direction for Council’s role in supporting economic growth and help inform future priorities through the next Long-Term Plan.
Bowcott said the different pieces were closely connected.
“Economic development, infrastructure and the Central City aren’t separate conversations. They all influence whether people and businesses see Hamilton as a place where they want to invest and build their future.
“Hamilton has some strong advantages and good momentum. Our focus now is on making the most of those opportunities.”