Key: Auckland city rail loop not near

Len Brown wants to make Auckland among the world's most liveable cities. Photo / Supplied

Prime Minister John Key believes Auckland's rail inner-city loop will happen - but not anytime soon.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown this morning tabled a $5.5 billion draft plan which he hopes will turn the city into the "most liveable city in the world".

The 254-page plan, which was launched at the new Auckland Art Gallery by Mr Brown and Local Government Minister Rodney Hide, includes the $2.2 billion central city rail loop, $2 billion of further waterfront development and $1.1 billion for central city development.

Aucklanders will have until October 25 to submit their views to council on four weighty volumes of plans - the draft Auckland Plan - a blueprint to improve the city's quality of life over the next 20 to 30 years - and the Auckland City Centre Masterplan for 20 years, the Waterfront Masterplan for 30 years and Economic Development Strategy for 10 years.

Speaking to Newstalk ZB, Mr Key was not entirely convinced of the merits of the rail loop, saying consultants told the Government it would not get many people out of cars, rather it would take people out of buses into trains.

"I'm not saying it is not going to happen, it is just not going to happen in a heartbeat."

Mr Key said the council is "abundantly aware" Government may provide some funding, but is not going to pay for it.

"The ratepayer of Auckland needs to know what they are on the hook for, because central Government is not going to pay for it."

Clashes over the draft Auckland Plan contents were revealed in March when the minister revealed the Government's view 11 days before the mayor issued 'Auckland Unleashed' - a discussion paper to form the draft Auckland Plan.

The Government's paper attacked public transport, land-use planning and economic return on public assets.

Council chief planning officer Dr Roger Blakeley said Mr Brown had twice this year met the Cabinet committee on Auckland governance to talk about the plan.

It was also discussed at the Central-Local Government Forum on Auckland, which is co-chaired by Mr Brown and Mr Hide.

Auckland-based senior representatives of a dozen Government departments have also contributed to the draft Auckland Plan.

This was because it will be a broad spatial plan - covering not only growth but also its economic, social, environmental and cultural objectives.

Dr Blakeley said 'Auckland Unleashed' drew 8000 submissions.

Tim Coffey, chairman of the Auckland CBD Residents' Advisory Group, said he would read all four of today's offerings, paying particular attention to economic strategy.

"You need an ability to read and sometimes its copious," he said. "But if you want to take part, there is plenty of opportunity to be heard - whether or not your opinion prevails."

The Auckland Draft Plan can be read here.