KEY POINTS:
Imagine super-yachts being refitted just a short Sunday stroll from a Picasso exhibition in Auckland's breath-taking new art gallery.
Or, strolling further into a green space on the waterfront headland currently occupied by the 'tank farm', then taking a swim in an edgy pool with its own wave machine, and, finally watching the sun go down behind the harbour bridge.
It's the sort of lifestyle that Sydney is famous for.
But a vision that Aucklanders could only dream of until Auckland Regional Holdings, Auckland City and Ports of Auckland did their historic deal to pave the way for the redevelopment of the waterfront.
What ultimately goes on the rejuvenated Wynyard Point won't be determined for some time.
But dreams can now be turned into reality.
Auckland Regional Holding's chief operating officer Peter Casey says ARH (Auckland Regional Council's investment arm) has "taken a huge hit" by deciding to deploy 18.5ha of land formerly owned by Ports of Auckland on the project (see graphic for details).That's because harbourside land fetches huge premiums on the international market.
It will take a considerable lead-time before Auckland Regional Holdings can report a commercial return on its new investment. Casey says the risks are high and the multiple projects to develop Wynyard Quarter will have to be tightly managed.
ARH has set-up a company called Sea+City Projects to lead-manage the waterfront makeover. The grim area which has housed the'tank farm', cutting Aucklanders off from their harbour, will be turned into a lively, mixed-use urban village with new green parks, plazas, boulevards, shops, apartments and restaurants alongside the marine and fishing industries.
Sea+City project director John Dalzell's first project will be to establish a waterfront promenade between the CBD and the project area. It's hoped to have this done in time for Rugby World Cup 2011. A bridge linking Viaduct Harbour to Wynyard Quarter, a stormwater treatment pond and development of some harbour sites will take place.
This is small beer to what lies ahead.
Casey's priority is to ensure a "balance of interests" between the commercial players ranging from property developers to the marine industry, arts and culture enthusiasts, potential residents and the public.
That image of the super-yachts being refitted nearby Westhaven - is really part of the plan. If ARH had just listened to the existing waterfront industry there would probably have been more outfitters like Orams with boats stacked high.
Instead, the planners have looked out further into the future considering just what sort of high-worth sectors could be enticed to Auckland to boost the marine industry.
That's the type of creative thinking that Casey and Dalzell want to apply when they enter a consultative phase for big ticket items - like an iconic building to grace the headland ("it's many years off). There will be design competitions and public consultations along the way.
Dalzell says it's important that the long-term commercial inhabitants - the fishing and marine sectors - continue to flourish.
Auckland Regional Holdings and Auckland City have invested $210m for public infrastructure.
Apart from the Wynyard Pt developments, there will also be a new landscaped park on the western side of the Harbour Bridge, further development of Hobson Wharf and the NZ National Museum and provision for a new marine events precinct at the northern end of Halsey Wharf.
This might be useful if Team NZ wins a future America's Cup.
