KEY POINTS:
Media coverage and video fly-bys go some way to bringing the Wynyard Point redevelopment project into the public eye, but until fundamental economic assumptions and design ideas are debated publicly there is a huge risk of missed opportunity and disappointment.
Like other new councillors, I had little knowledge or appreciation of Wynyard Point when elected to Auckland Regional Council three years ago.
While I know far more now, I have been struck by the lack of public involvement and good quality planning work about what could be done there.
My objective is a waterfront development that will give something special to all the people of Auckland - not just those who can afford to live nearby or those who happen to work there. It needs to become a popular destination.
My concern stems from disappointment at the state of public amenities at other Auckland waterfront developments, notably the Hilton Hotel development at Princes Wharf, and the Waitemata Square and Market Square areas of the Viaduct Harbour Basin and other residential-fronted promenades.
Apart from the success of the Viaduct Basin promenade and the small elbow of restaurants and bars at the Viaduct Harbour, waterfront-edge opportunities for Auckland's public have been lost because of limited and badly designed public space provision and what is, in effect, privatisation by the dominating residential development.
The Port Company acted appropriately in 2005 by engaging urban planners to prepare concept plans indicating how surplus land at Wynyard Point land might be developed.
Port's plans allocated space for commercial and residential development, for the marine industry, and for public uses and transport. Indicative building heights and development densities were an essential component to deliver market rents and leases.
When ownership of Ports' surplus land was transferred to Auckland Regional Holdings late last year, my expectation was that Ports' concept plan would be revisited.
Instead, the regional holdings body advised its owner, the Auckland Regional Council, that its objective was to "maximise" the financial return. This has since been toned down to: "optimise cash return", but Auckland Regional Holdings' draft long-term funding plan still anticipates revenues of about $30 million a year from Wynyard Point. The ARH revenue includes Port Company profits and other investment returns available to the regional council to help fund public transport.
I believe that given the choice the public would opt for the most attractive public waterfront development we can afford now and enjoy it forever, rather than favouring private development while compromising public amenity to help pay for marginal public transport improvements. I also question the regional holdings' objective "to enable the creation of a world-class waterfront development". What does "world-class" mean?
This April, at my own cost, I visited "world-class" waterfront developments in Europe, including Canary Wharf at London, downtown waterfront at Hamburg, HafenCity at Hamburg, Roskilde Viking waterfront in Denmark and Malmo waterfront in Sweden. All world-class, all different, all full of ideas, and mostly the result of design competitions.
We risk making decisions at Wynyard Point based on limited awareness of the opportunities, limited professional discussion about options for Auckland, and constrained public debate.
Canary Wharf has made huge profits for London and developers and it's great for those who can afford to live and work there. But nobody else goes there for fun.
Hamburg's downtown waterfront is a magnet for locals and tourists attracted by busy ferries and a huge Sunday market - not dominated by private buildings. This is what we need at Queens Wharf in Auckland.
Malmo's waterfront has attracted young people by providing swimming-pool-edge finishes, floating platforms for swimmers and informal park spaces. There is little need for retail therapy, although icecreams, coffee and snacks are available.
The marine industry waterfront at Roskilde in Denmark is haven for yachts and fishing boats in a development linked with public walkways and it also has museums specialising in Viking culture and longboats.
Auckland is the Polynesian capital of the world. The Waitemata harbour was the transport corridor for Maori trading waka and the place where Tainui's double-hulled sailing waka arrived. Waka races once preceded European yacht races in Auckland. Wynyard Point would be a great location for something specifically New Zealand - an authentic attraction and destination.
So where from here? The horse-trading over land ownership and infrastructure has been signed between Auckland's local bodies. Now is the time to allow the public into the process and to look afresh at the opportunities.
Truly world-class developments are open to world-class ideas and thinking. Auckland needs a design competition for all Wynyard Point land to ensure we get the best ideas and so we don't repeat yesterday's mistakes.
The statutory plan change process is about to begin. Aucklanders should grab this opportunity, make submissions, and demand a popular waterfront of which we can all be proud.
* Joel Cayford is on the Auckland Regional Council.
