Media release

Cameron Brewer - Auckland Councillor for Orakei

Thursday, 25 November 2010

Rail loop business case unrealistic about CBD growth

The Auckland CBD rail loop business case is not realistic in its bold predictions around significant workplace growth set for downtown Auckland, says Auckland councillor Cameron Brewer,

"We are told that unless we move with speed, the CBD will be gridlocked with commuters within 10 years. That is a huge assumption and goes against the actual trend where overall we're seeing the decentralisation of our workplaces," says Cameron Brewer who is also a board member of Towns & Cities NZ.

"Only 13 percent of Aucklanders currently work in the central city. I believe that percentage is only going to fall not increase when you consider the likes of business park growth and the fact that computer technology is enabling more people to work from home and businesses to operate locally.

"This assumption that by 2021 people will be pushing each other over to get into the CBD every morning seems a little unrealistic. Corporates aren't exactly lining up to get into CBD Auckland, there are no cranes on the skyline, and CBD office vacancies are at a generational high.

"Yes there'll be more residents living in the CBD in places such as Wynyard Point, but it's hard to see a rush of white collars into the central city. In fact the past 30 years have shown that the CBD has lost considerable workplace dominance. I can't see the Queen Street exodus being turned around significantly in the coming decade.

“I ran the Newmarket Business Association for five years and areas like Newmarket have really lifted them game as far as a preferred destination for the likes of office-based businesses. Assuming that a bigger regional population will mean a much bigger working CBD population is a big assumption to make,” says Cameron Brewer.

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