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Mackenzie Park, Twizel
Mackenzie Park is an ongoing urban redevelopment of the old Ministry of Works (MOW) site based in Twizel which was operational from 1970 to the mid 1980s. The land was utilised by the MOW for the Upper Waitaki Hydro Power Development Project during the construction of the canals and dams in the upper Waitaki. The southern part of the site is commonly known as the Batcher Block, as it once contained the large concrete batching plant which provided substantial volumes of concrete to the dams under construction in the region.
Stage One of Mackenzie Park was completed in 2006 and consists of 83 residential allotments opposite the Ben Ohau golf course, and only a short drive (or slightly longer walk) to Lake Ruataniwha, which supports sailing, water skiing and prominent rowing events, such as the Maadi Cup. Nearby Ohau Skifield and the Round Hill Ski Area also attract winter tourists to Twizel.
The primary access into Stage One is by Grandvue Drive, which is oriented to give panoramic views of the mountain ranges to the north, and to Mount Cook. Since the inception of the Mackenzie Park development, it has been intended to continue the formation of Grandvue Drive to the south, enabling residential growth in the area between Twizel and Lake Ruataniwha, bordered on the east by State Highway 8.
A dynamic masterplanning exercise for the land has been underway since the beginning of the project and aims to deliver high quality urban design to compliment the existing Radburn Model used in Twizel. This design style features looping roads and easily accessible pedestrian ways, making it usually far more direct to walk to the centre of Twizel than to use a car.
Future stages of Mackenzie Park are likely to be released in the near future.