Architect: Let's hold fire on wharf

Gordon Moller has suggested a double-sided terminal so two cruise ships can berth at once. Picture / Supplied

Queens Wharf should stay as it is until its long-term future is determined, says architect Gordon Moller.

Mr Moller, who designed the Sky Tower and has been involved with waterfront plans since the mid-1990s, said that now the wharf had been given to Auckland's people, it should be enjoyed as a public open space.

"The two wharf sheds there do have heritage issues and could be used for the Rugby World Cup," he said.

"In the longer term, the ferry terminal can be extended with more berths than now. That means Queens Wharf, in the fullness of time, can have other things done."

Mr Moller is the latest architect to speak out against plans by the Government and the Auckland Regional Council to remove the cargo sheds and build a $9.6 million temporary structure for the cup and a cruise ship terminal.

ARC chairman Mike Lee is working with the Historic Places Trust to ensure historic features are protected and promoted in the development of the wharf, but the parties are still at odds over the future of the sheds.

Mr Moller has suggested extending Captain Cooks Wharf, east of Queens Wharf on the Auckland waterfront, by 100m and building a double-sided overseas passenger terminal so two ships can berth at once.

He said the west side of Queens Wharf was earmarked for expanded ferry facilities, leaving one berth for cruise ships on the eastern side when the number of cruise ships visits was expected to rise from 68 this season to more than 100 by 2012.

"The overseas passenger facilities are growing rapidly ... they need, at times, three berths and you simply cannot do that with Queens Wharf."

The Moller plan includes using Marsden Wharf for small vessels, such as tugboats, and turning Quay St into a public promenade by using the strip of land behind the Red Fence.

He is keen to keep the working port from Bledisloe terminal to the east.

The Government plans to set up a waterfront development agency as part of the Super City. It will own and manage land - excluding Ports of Auckland property - from Teal Park in the east to the harbour bridge in the west.