Invercargill City Council and its residents are creating a city with heart, and Downer is proud to have helped bring that vision to life.

As part of the City Centre Master Plan (CCMP), the upgrade of Don and Esk Streets has transformed New Zealand’s southernmost city into a more vibrant, inviting, and connected place for people to stay, shop, and explore.

Through an early contractor involvement (ECI) process, Downer partnered with Invercargill City Council and Isthmus to design and deliver the project. Construction began in August 2021, with the streets officially reopened in April 2023, less than two years later, despite Covid-19 disruptions.

The design sought to balance Southlanders’ love of open space with the need for safe, people-focused areas that connect with the natural environment. Downer’s scope included installing new underground services, constructing shared spaces for pedestrians and vehicles, creating rain gardens to naturally treat stormwater runoff, and installing new furniture and planting to bring life and usability to the streets.