Concepts for town basin unveiled

PUBLIC SPACE: A drawing from the Underwood King proposal for the former NRC/Harbour Board building.

Three of the four proposals that could see the former harbour board building at the Town Basin transformed into a modern public facility heavily reflect maritime themes and the role of voyaging in Whangarei's human and natural history.

The other pays homage to the architectural vision of Austrian-born, internationally regarded artist and Northland resident, Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

So, as well as the trademark wobbly lines and minarets of Hundertwasser, in the running are turrets, decks, maritime motifs, glass viewing towers, roof canopies and even an urban beach.

The four favoured proposals for the prime location at Whangarei's Town Basin are out from behind closed doors today, posted on Whangarei District Council's website.

They feature galleries for permanent or touring exhibitions, small auditorium/seminar rooms, gee-whizz audio visual effects, including 3D entertainment, roof or covered viewing platforms and associations with other museums such as Auckland Art Gallery or the Auckland Maritime Museum.

A strong group called Prosper Northland Trust, backed with endorsements from high profile people and organisations, is behind the refloated Hundertwasser concept; and another group made up of business people and community leaders, called Future Whangarei has put forward an idea with the working title "Harbourside".

The two which are being revealed publicly for the first time are the one with the commercial-sounding acronym "AMP" (Arts Maritime Play) and "Art Gallery", by Underwood King, architect and designer Peter King and Gary Underwood.

This is also the first time the submitters of the four preferred designs - chosen from 21 - have seen each others' proposals.

All the proposals link strongly to Maori culture, tradition and local history and wish to align themselves to a proposed Maori Culture Centre on the adjacent Hihiaua reserve, Mayor Sheryl Mai said.

Ms Mai said that any one of the ideas the council's 20/20 Inner City Revitalisation Committee has assessed would create a worthy addition to the city, and it's time for the public to take a look at them.

"We've been given a fantastic opportunity because every one of these proposals is so good," Ms Mai said.

While the council welcomes public feedback, ultimately the decision will not be made in the community but in the council chambers - if one is decided at all.