An upgrade like the Wynyard Quarter would complement the newly developed Onehunga foreshore which opens officially on Saturday. Photo / Supplied
An upgrade like the Wynyard Quarter would complement the newly developed Onehunga foreshore which opens officially on Saturday. Photo / Supplied
Council arm wants to transform Port of Onehunga into another Wynyard Quarter without losing authenticity
A waterfront development along the lines of Wynyard Quarter is planned at the port at Onehunga on the Manukau Harbour.
The council's development arm is negotiating to buy the site from Ports of Auckland for public use.
A waterfront village, apartments and commercial uses are options for the land. An authentic feel with fishing boats continuing to use the wharf and unload their catch is envisaged.
Development Auckland has undertaken technical and environmental due diligence on the site and hopes to enter into a conditional purchase agreement with Ports of Auckland over the next few months.
Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson said the sale has come about because Manukau Harbour was too shallow for modern ships, making it unsuitable for freight operation. Over the past few years, the port company has been consolidating Onehunga operations at its main port on the Waitemata Harbour, including a new $50 million cement silo.
"This enables us to make our land at the Port of Onehunga available to Aucklanders, just as Princes Wharf, Queens Wharf, the Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter have been opened up for public use and enjoyment," Mr Gibson said.
Development Auckland chief executive John Dalzell said Onehunga had been identified as a location for residential and commercial development.
"Within that, transforming the Onehunga port site to facilitate more public uses is seen as the key to unlocking the economic, recreation, tourism and transport potential of the Manukau Harbour."
Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board chairman Simon Randall and acting Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board chairwoman Carrol Elliott were thrilled at the prospect of the waterfront development.
Wynyard Quarter. Photo / Richard Robinson
The port land was a spectacular site and could be turned into a gem, Mr Randall said.
Said Ms Elliott: "We will have the Manukau Quarter and it will be beautiful."
A new pedestrian bridge, planned from Mangere to Onehunga, would provide an easy 1.2km walk or cycle to the development, she said.
Local Maungakiekie MP Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga was also excited by the news, saying the City of Sails has two harbours and the residents who live around Manukau Harbour deserve to benefit from Auckland's geographical position on the water.
"I see the potential for recreation, shopping and housing, turning a much-loved but neglected area into a bustling hub for Auckland's residents," he said.
The waterfront development will complement a $30 million development of the Onehunga foreshore, which officially opens on Saturday. The 6.8ha of parkland includes new beaches, a boat ramp and turning bay, and a pedestrian/cyclist bridge linking the foreshore to Onehunga Bay Reserve. The reserve also features shared cycling and walking paths, seating and picnic areas, carparks and extensive planting.
Wynyard Quarter II
• Manukau Harbour waterfront development:
• Talks under way to sell Onehunga port for public use.
• Land could be used for waterfront village like Wynyard Quarter.
