Council fishing for waterfront views

Auckland City wants feedback on plans for the waterfront which include turning the former America's Cup bases into a marine events centre and extending the walkway from the ferry terminal to the Harbour Bridge.

The draft vision "may change as more input is received from those who live, work and play in the waterfront area", the Auckland City Council said yesterday.

New footbridges - one of them across the motorway - are mooted for Westhaven Marina, which the city bought for $53 million last May, along with the Hobson West Marina, from the Ports of Auckland company.

The council's ideas for the CBD seaside area, which stretches from Mechanics Bay to the Harbour Bridge, will include urban design, retaining views, events, recreation and public guardianship.

Public views on the proposals are invited until March 18 and the council wants to be able to agree on a final plan by June.

Auckland Deputy Mayor Bruce Hucker said the aim at the Westhaven Marina was to improve public access and amenities to make it more appealing to visitors.

But the area should also be a successful business precinct and a marina of international standard.

The Westhaven plan provided for several new low-rise buildings for boat-users and the public, but not for apartments.

Dr Hucker said the council might lease out the management rights for the marina so it could be run as a business separate from the council.

More berths could be created in the 1800-space complex. Local authorities are hampered in extending their public guardianship role because key chunks of the waterfront are in multiple ownership. The city council is seeking support for buying more waterfront assets.

Last year, the marinas were put on top of a marine precinct shopping list, as the council considered ownership was the only way to achieve its overall objectives for the waterfront.

It has also set its sights on the grassy area just to the west of the Harbour Bridge approaches, unofficially called Harbour Bridge Park. This area is owned by the ports company, which in turn is 80 per cent owned by Auckland Regional Holdings, a subsidiary of the ARC.

Along with the park, the council has investigated acquiring from the ports company Wynyard Pt, Halsey St extension and Western Viaduct Replacement, Hobson Wharf, Princes Wharf, Queens Wharf and the waterspace related to these assets.

The cost is estimated at $400 million.

Dr Hucker said the councils were working with the ports company to "help get the vision right".

The company did not want to sell the freehold of assets but the city wanted to see the waterfront focus on quality developments rather than commercial considerations.

Dr Hucker would like to see some movement in the next five years to reopen Queens Wharf to the public.

City planning manager John Duthie said a key part of the exercise was to help make decisions about the future of the America's Cup bases.

The city pays America's Cup Village $50,000 a month rent on the area.

Mr Duthie said the concept was not about building a structure for a marine events centre but rather making it a place where people could come to experience events which were part of a maritime city.

Some council ideas

From the Auckland Harbour Bridge to Mechanics Bay:

* Turning the America's Cup bases into a marine events centre.
* Extending public walkways.
* Buying waterfront land if it gets the chance.
* Sorting out contaminated land.
* Protecting the best lookout points, such as Teal Park.
* Creating lively "people" places.
* New footbridges for Westhaven Marina.