All of Auckland deserves say on Queens Wharf

Media release – Mayor Len Brown
For immediate use
14 January 2009

All of Auckland deserves say on Queens Wharf

Manukau mayor Len Brown says all of Auckland's communities deserve a say about what happens on Queen's Wharf.

“The last thing we need to do is rush a decision on the future of Queens Wharf before the new super-city is established and we can deliver a coherent master plan for the development of the harbour.

“The harbour and waterfront is too important to Auckland’s future to be held ransom to political agendas or a timetable around the Rugby World Cup. Nor do we need Wellington to be seen to be telling the region how it should develop.

"These decisions will affect all of Auckland's ratepayers, however the communities outside of Auckland City feel like they have had no say in what is being decided, even though they’ll be asked to pay for whatever is proposed.

"The process so far has failed to engage wider Auckland. I believe the government must engage with all the region’s councils and communities on plans for the waterfront.

"As of November, every ratepayer in the Auckland region will have an equal stake in the plans. The government needs to convene a working group which involves communities from Rodney, North Shore, Waitakere, Auckland City, Manukau and Franklin to decide the best way forward.

“The harbour needs to be developed in a way which brings all of Auckland together. The new Auckland Council will be in the best position to deliver a coordinated vision for the improvement of the waterfront, involving all Aucklanders who want to have a say on what they want to see on our wharfs. The process thus far hasn’t delivered that buy-in.

“The construction of a beautiful mixed-use cruise ship terminal and public building on Queens Wharf has to be seen in the context of developing the Wynyard Quarter and Tank Farm, Te Wero bridge, the Marine Events Centre, North Wharf, the finger wharfs and the new harbour crossing.

“Rushing into a decision will mean more ad-hoc development, game playing and political bickering.

“Auckland has one of the world’s most beautiful harbours. Aucklanders deserve to see a coordinated long-term development plan for the waterfront we can all be proud of.

ENDS