Port expansion plans thwarted
Port expansion plans thwarted
Plans by Ports of
Auckland to further reclaim the Waitemata Harbour have been
thwarted, following the decision by the Auckland Plan
Committee.
"The Unitary Plan has raised some
contentious issues but none more divisive than filling in
more of our unique harbour," says Devonport-Takapuna Local
Board chair Chris Darby, who has worked closely with the
Mayor’s office and Heart of the City to achieve a
resolution.
The council committee amended the draft
Unitary Plan, making further reclamation a 'non-complying'
activity, and ordered a comprehensive study to more fully
appraise the long-term future of the port land.
“I'm
relieved to see sanity prevail and Council reach this bold
decision, for the sake of the city and all Aucklanders,"
says Mr Darby.
"We grew up as a port city relying
upon sea freight but now we are an international
harbour-edge city that recognises the importance of
protecting the harbour and gulf from
encroachment."
"The port company has been given an
unequivocal message that contemplating more port sprawl into
our harbour is unacceptable. It's now time for all
Aucklanders to participate in a comprehensive study of what
our unique waterfront might offer us over the next 50-100
years."
“Let's be prepared to break the mould and
look at how Auckland, Northland and the Waikato can
collaborate to best connect by sea to international
markets."
“The days of incremental reclamation over
two centuries are
over.”
ends