MEDIA RELEASE
5 December 2003

New look for Quay Street

Aucklanders are invited to have their say on draft plans for a new look for Quay Street, which includes wider and more aesthetically pleasing footpaths, native trees and landscaping, improved lighting and better pedestrian crossing opportunities.

Chairperson of Auckland City’s Recreation and Events Committee, Councillor Scott Milne, says the aim of the $5 million street upgrade is to transform Quay Street into an attractive, high quality, people friendly public space.

The main features of the concept plan are:
- the future provision of some form of passenger transport, possibly a tram, to connect the Western Reclamation with Britomart via the Eastern Viaduct and future Arena site
- installing improved lighting to enhance the view of the water from the city and vice versa
- providing increased pedestrian priority at intersections where possible, especially the Queen and Quay Street intersection
- reducing the traffic lane widths to the minimum safe width of three metres to allow the footpaths to be widened on the north and south side of Quay Street. The number of traffic lanes can not be reduced until there is an alternative motorway link between the North Shore and Quay Street/Tamaki Drive
- the addition of more street furniture and landscaping to create a park like environment
- relocating the 10 trees from the medium strip and planting about 70 new native trees on both sides of the street
- placing a sculpture or artworks at Point Britomart to mark the entry into the area where the central business district meets the waterfront
- subject to the agreement of the Maritime Museum, relocating KZ1 westwards of the existing Maritime Museum and reconfiguring the road on the Eastern Viaduct to turn around the relocated boat.

Mr Milne says the proposed plan addresses many of the issues identified by property owners and Quay Street users during the consultation process last month.

“The release of this draft for consultation is a major step towards a more friendly and beautiful Quay Street. It is crucial for the success of this project that Aucklanders look at the plans and let us know if they can be improved,” he says.

Copies of the proposed plans are on display at the Britomart Display Centre, Northern Steamship building, 122-124 Quay Street and are available from the council on request.

The project covers both sides of Quay Street from the proposed Arena site in the east to Te Wero Island in the west. Physical work is expected to begin in May 2004.

The upgrade is part of Auckland City’s draft Auckland CBD Into the future strategy to revitalise Auckland’s central business district (CBD) into one of the world’s most vibrant and dynamic business and cultural centres.

The consultation period ends on 18 January 2004.

Ends

Ref: BV

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