Editorial: Simple is best for Party Central

Photo / Brett Phibbs

Opinion

At last, some sense is being talked about an upgrade of the Auckland waterfront and plans for a Rugby World Cup "party central" can proceed without saddling the city with an ill-considered plan.

The city needs a focal point for celebrations during the competition - particularly, dare one hope, for exultation when the All Blacks win the final.

But thousands of ticketless overseas visitors are not going to flock here. Why would they want to watch matches on a screen in Auckland when they could do so in their local sports bar or living room?

That being so, what happens with downtown developments should be simple and attractive, and not pre-empt a long-term concept for the area.

The hastily conceived design competition for a building including a cruise ship terminal yielded nothing of interest.

Then Rugby World Cup Minister, Murray McCully, who like his Labour predecessor, Labour's Trevor Mallard, seems incapable of listening to what Aucklanders want, doubled the offered budget to $100 million.

Fortunately, his boss has pulled on his leash. PM John Key has urged against a rush, and backs a short-term development costing $20 million, half of which would be spent on long-term infrastructure.

Overwhelmingly, Aucklanders - including the two declared contenders for the super city mayoralty - seem to agree: an 800m promenade along a traffic-free Quay St, with giant screens on pontoons seems the most likely outcome.

Pressure must be maintained to prevent anything more grandiose. If we build in haste, we will surely repent at leisure.