Aucklanders urged to have their say on CBD’s future

Auckland City is encouraging Aucklanders to have their say on its strategic vision and plans for the city’s CBD.

The vision presented by Auckland’s CBD Into the future project is to position the CBD internationally as one of the world’s most vibrant and dynamic business and cultural centres.

Auckland’s CBD Into the future strategy outlines the way the council plans for residential and business growth in the CBD. It includes strategies relating to transport, environmental, social and cultural issues.

The strategy is accompanied by an action plan and central area access strategy. The action plan sets out specific projects proposed by the council. These include projects to upgrade Queen, Quay and Lorne streets, develop a retail strategy, promote 24 hour activity, promote the CBD as a business location and to ensure the high quality design of new developments.

Auckland City’s Strategy and Governance Committee chairperson, Councillor Mark Donnelly, says the CBD clearly needs more than a ‘”business as usual” approach.

“The CBD is vital. It is the national financial and business services centre, has a steadily increasing residential population, and provides nearly 15 per cent of all the city’s retail employment. Its cultural and entertainment facilities, art galleries and heritage buildings provide the area with a unique character.”

An attractive, exciting and welcoming city centre is an important part of ongoing work to ensure Auckland remains internationally competitive. Cities around the world are all competing to attract investment, businesses and well-educated workers. Auckland must keep pace,” he says.

The central area access strategy looks at the impact that the transport network will have on how the city develops over the next 10 years and how transport can help achieve a city that is vibrant and bustling with activity. The strategy places emphasis on transport initiatives that will ease access into as well as movement around the CBD.

Key to achieving a city that is competitive in the international arena is providing access, says Councillor Greg McKeown, the council’s Transport Committee chairperson.

“We need to create a city that is easy to get to and easy to move around. To do this we need to create travel alternatives for people wanting to live, work or play in the CBD,” says Mr McKeown.

“We cannot afford to wait. We need to start looking at how we can efficiently use the transport infrastructure we have now with an eye on the future needs of an internationally renowned city.”

Auckland’s CBD Into the future and central area access strategy were the product of considerable research and consultation with the CBD’s residents, businesses, investors and visitors.

Before it adopts the strategies, the council wants to check that they reflect what all Aucklanders want for their CBD.

You can have your say by filling in the feedback form on http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/cbd or emailing your ideas to cbd@aucklandcity.govt.nz.

Copies of the strategies, action plan, feedback forms and free post envelopes are also available from the displays at the: Britomart Display Centre, Northern Steamship Building, 122 Quay Street Central City Library, 44 - 46 Lorne Street, Auckland central Ground floor of the former Chief Post Office An Auckland City officer will be on hand at the display at the ground floor of the Chief Post Office from 22 to 27 March, 11.30am to 1.30pm, to receive your valuable feedback.

All ideas will be considered for inclusion in the final strategy and action plan. The consultation period closes on Friday 2 April 2004.

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