Retail Quarter Redevelopment

Dunedin City Council (DCC) awarded this project to the 03 Collective, made up of Isaac Construction as the head contractor, Aecom & Jasmax. The project scope required significant upgrades to three waters services, utilities, pavements and streetscape works through George Street between Moray Place and Albany Street, spanning four city blocks, side streets and upgrades of five intersections. DCC and the Ō3 Collective collaborated with mana whenua Kāi Tahu to define the city’s identity and convert it into a streetscape, led by project partner, mana whenua owned organisation Aukaha.

This was an ECI design and build contract starting in 2019, with physical works starting in October 2021. Construction wrapped six months ahead of schedule in 2024, with the official opening ceremony taking place on the 25th July.

This was a technically complex project which involved large-scale drainage renewals (pipe sizes ranging from 225-1650 diameter) to improve the capacity of the stormwater and wastewater networks and provide a further 50-100 years of serviceable life to the assets. The scope also included full replacement and capacity upgrades of all watermains, water laterals, and upgrade of the installation of new RPZ units.

A range of works were undertaken to upgrade the pipe size, installing higher quality materials and replacing line pipes which were at the end of their life, as well as improvements to the catchment and transfer of surface water to the underground network to reduce flooding events. The upgraded infrastructure coped well in recent major rainfall events in October 2024.

The Retail Quarter project included extensive asphalt surfacing (1949 tonnes), decorative paving, including the installation of bespoke paving designs in footpath areas, bespoke street art and street furniture, and playground construction—all undertaken within Dunedin’s highly trafficked CBD.

Due to the sensitivity of roadworks taking place in a densely populated urban area, proactive communication with key stakeholders, businesses, and residents was maintained throughout the project. We had a dedicated full time stakeholder advisor who liaised with businesses and the general public every day, as well as working alongside the Totally Georgeous team to produce helpful resources for businesses such as dining guides and parking maps as we moved around the area.

Award wins

• Urban Design Award at the South Island Property People Awards
• Silver at the 2024 ACE New Zealand Awards