Ron Carter: Let's just get on with first stage of wharf

Queens Wharf seems to be a matter of assembling the moving parts.

It's after all the Christmas fuss and you are out in the shed examining a gift you've really wanted, that you've talked about for ages and the family has finally relented. You open the box and look carefully.

It hasn't been assembled, the instructions are vague and, on close inspection, you find the box is full of moving parts that lock together at some point. But which goes first ...

Does it all sound terribly familiar?

Queens Wharf is turning out a bit like that. We have wanted access for a long time to enjoy the interface between a magnificent harbour and inner-city life. And for it to become a focal point for activities, and to be the best space for an inspirational development. Now we just need to work out how to put it all together.

Making progress on the Wynyard Quarter and gaining access to Queens Wharf are great achievements. They illustrate the strength of co-operation between central and local governments - a promising prospect for other opportunities.

At our acrimonious worst, we prove the need for a new Auckland Council and a better way of working with the Government. Some people call to press ahead with Queens Wharf and deliver components for the Rugby World Cup, and others suggest we wait.

Let's take a closer look at the moving parts. There are five or six critical elements (forgive me, I am an engineer). First, a singular vision and a comprehensive masterplan for a waterfront and harbour Aucklanders will treasure.

Then an organisation which makes the plan happen - party central for Rugby World Cup; better facilities for more and more cruise ship visitors; and a wow-factor legacy or catalyst the nature of which isn't yet clear, but which we agree must befit the queen position for the city centre and the waterfront.

The immediate functional need for the Rugby World Cup is not complex - people acknowledge that. It's to provide amenities for 20,000 people - and something Auckland will be proud to see broadcast on world TV screens next year. These are largely well-crafted, high-quality open spaces where people can gather.

The built environment will need to provide facilities that go hand in hand with Auckland's big party. They need not be permanent, nor do they compromise the long-term aspirations we all carry. There is good understanding of what's needed, and we have the time to carry out a good job.

Then there is the cruise business. It's urgent that we provide the kind of welcome Kiwis are known for, and here Auckland Airport sets the bar. Most agree that the current cruise infrastructure is inadequate for a $400 million industry.

For a comparison, $400 million is roughly what New Zealand earned from fresh apples in 2007.

We can and must do better for this income earner, and it puzzles me why we've talked for the past three summers and achieved little tangible progress.

The cruise facility needs about 26,000sq m of space. We know the requirements and the benefits of this facility. Plenty of cities would envy a location as good as this for visitors to drop in and shop in the country's retail HQ and connect to planes, buses, ferries, hotels, campervans, visitor information and the like.

Fortunately the cruise facility needs only a quarter of the wharf's great space. It needs it now, and the facility can be located wisely with an eye to providing the jewel in the crown later on.

The cruise facility should be of quality but not rival the iconic feature we anticipate. The other three-quarters is free to be redeveloped for party central with open space, screens and so on that in no way close off future options.

There is an urgent need to realise that the open space and amenities for the 2011 party and a cruise terminal can be done together with the legacy opportunities available on Queens Wharf, and other spaces.

Get on with 2011 and keep our high expectations for this iconic site. Carry out stage one with confidence that the ultimate solution will emerge with time.

* Sir Ron Carter is chairman of the Committee for Auckland, a not-for-profit private-sector organisation interested in the enhancement and development of Auckland.