MEDIA RELEASE
11 October 2005

Designing Matiatia an inclusive process

A design process that will maximise the opportunity for Waiheke residents to have a say on the proposed mixed-use development of Waiheke Island’s Matiatia has been approved by Auckland City Council’s Urban Strategy and Governance Committee yesterday.

A design brief will be developed by a working party of community representatives, councillors and design and property experts with input gained from community meetings.

“The design brief must follow a process inclusive of the community if the final design concept is to achieve the council’s strategic outcomes and have community buy in,” Penny Pirrit, acting group manager, city planning, said in a report.

The process will include community meetings and workshops hosted by Community and People of Waiheke (CAPOW) representatives and the council. Councillors Vern Walsh, Christine Caughey and Faye Storer will be the council’s political representatives.

The committee agreed that a “good ideas search” would replace an earlier notion of a design competition and should be open to local and international participants to ensure a wide range of innovative suggestions. Following initial assessment by an expert panel, the best elements from all ideas would be referred to a community workshop for further consideration.

Entrants offering the best elements would be invited to submit more detailed proposals from which an expert panel would pick a final concept plan.

“Blending community workshops and a good ideas search ensures we get the best outcome from recognised expertise and local input,” said the committee’s acting chairperson, Councillor Dr John Hinchcliff.

The full process to the time when a final concept is handed-over to the council’s Property Enterprise Board for implementation could take several months at a design cost of around $200,000.

In a report to the committee, Penny Pirrit said proposals for a high quality, mixed-use development of appropriate scale should:

- demonstrate an integrated approach to land and transport issues

- express quality urban design and sustainability practices

- provide public open space

- use no less than 8,000m² of floor area for a return of $7million toward the $12.5m purchase cost of the asset

- meet planning provisions

- reflect community views.

“We’re seeking an outcome that will give us an inspiring gateway development all Aucklanders can be proud of,” said Dr Hinchcliff.

The intention is to have developed a design brief for the February meeting of the committee, followed by a scoping of design options prior to a final concept.

ENDS

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