Spending in the air to freshen city

By Warren Gamble

Apec is in the air ... and in the flower beds, potholes and lighting poles as Auckland reveals its multimillion-dollar makeover to the world this week.

Keeping Auckland beautiful has cost the Auckland City Council more than $5 million. Although some of the work is routine, the council has brought much of it forward for Apec.

The Government's Apec Taskforce has also pitched in with $1.8 million reimbursement of council costs, much of it for road sealing and the upgrading of footpaths.

Although it is doubtful that international leaders will see the freshly planted flower beds from the tinted windows of their motorcade limousines, little effort has been spared to make them feel welcome.

In flower beds near the Auckland Town Hall colourful blooms will spell out "Apec" and "City of Sails," while President Bill Clinton may appreciate the rows of "Sweet William."

Among other beauty measures are graffiti-busting teams who will tackle scrawls and posters daily.

One security measure threatening the city's good looks is the removal from yesterday of 160 rubbish bins from motorcade routes, including parts of Queen St, Mayoral Drive and Albert St.

However, teams of street orderlies have been employed to pick up litter from 8 am to 6 pm daily.

More than $250,000 has been spent on the Domain - where Apec leaders will hold their retreat next Monday. The Auckland Museum forecourt has been repaved, the Wintergarden kiosk for the leaders' lunch revamped, park benches painted, and new turf and gardens laid.

Of course the Domain's ducks will also be fed by a specially accredited council worker during the park's closure - a win-win situation for the birds and nervous officials worried they will flock around leaders.

More than $75,000 has been spent on Apec flags - because of the presence of Taiwan and diplomatic sensitivities with China, the regional forum does not have any country flags.

On the flipside there are some strangely prominent eyesores - notably the graffiti-covered construction site mural wall around the new entertainment centre facing the Aotea Centre and the Town Hall, where leaders and the world's media will gather.