Mayor sidesteps public with cruise ship terminal plan

After indications that the waterfront masterplan would be made public in March, Mr Brown said it would not be released until August 6. Photo / APN

Mayor Len Brown has announced a $6 million cruise ship terminal will be built on Queens Wharf before the public have a say on a new waterfront masterplan.

Mr Brown broke a promise to consult Aucklanders on options for a cruise ship terminal and refused to release a review of those options, which was one of his 100 projects in his first 100 days.

His unilateral decision to go with Queens Wharf - the matter has not gone before the Auckland Council - is at odds with his election promise for a cruise ship terminal on Captain Cook Wharf and instructions to Waterfront Auckland in November to include Captain Cook Wharf in the masterplanning process.

"We will then go through a three- to four-month discussion with the community and confirm our final options for the development of the waterfront, in particular the cruise ship terminal," he said in November.

Previously, Mr Brown believed that Queens Wharf was needed for expanded ferry services and public open space, and championed a plan by architect Gordon Moller to extend Captain Cook Wharf, east of Queens Wharf, by 100m.

However, it is understood Mr Brown changed his mind because of the estimated $200 million it would cost to buy Captain Cook Wharf from Ports of Auckland, extend it and build a cruise ship terminal.

Another factor was the strong growth of the cruise ship industry and inadequate facilities at Princes Wharf.

Yesterday, Mr Brown made no apologies for deciding on Queens Wharf without consulting the public, saying urgent action was needed on the cruise ship terminal.

Aucklanders, he said, would be consulted on long-term options for a cruise ship terminal.

His definitive statement appeared to take the Government by surprise, with Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully making a brief statement welcoming any steps to improve cruise ship facilities in Auckland.

Craig Harris, a spokesman for the cruise ship industry, welcomed the move to Queens Wharf in time for the coming 2011-2012 season, saying Princes Wharf was constrained by its proximity to the Hilton Hotel and ability to handle larger ships.

Mr Harris said the planned refurbishment of Shed 10 on Queens Wharf was ideal and could be turned into a special cruise experience without needing a $100 million "flash design" as proposed earlier.

Mr Brown said the cruise ship terminal could also incorporate the $9.8 million Cloud the Government is erecting on Queens Wharf for the Rugby World Cup, but nothing firm had been determined for the structure.

Asked if having the cruise ship terminal and the Cloud on Queens Wharf for up to 15 years was a mediocre solution for the waterfront, Mr Brown said he was not into mediocre but dealing with issues at some pace.

The $6 million bill for the cruise ship terminal included $4 million already budgeted for doing up Shed 10 for the Rugby World Cup, Mr Brown said.

Heart of the City chief executive Alex Swney, whose organisation has campaigned against quick-fix solutions for the waterfront, supported Queens Wharf and Shed 10 as an interim solution for a cruise ship terminal, but was concerned about the Cloud becoming a long-term fixture.

Mr Swney hoped the announcement would not take away the opportunity for Aucklanders to have their say on the waterfront.

"If anything raises the hackles of Aucklanders it is what we do on our waterfront - lest we forget the furore around the great stadium debate," he said.

After indications that the waterfront masterplan would be made public in March, Mr Brown said it would not be released until August 6.

This leaves four months for public consultation and sign-off to meet the November deadline.

CHANGING TIDES
Len Brown on the cruise ship terminal:

"I see Captain Cook Wharf as the place to go" - November 2010

"I can announce today that that region's cruise ship terminal will be on Queens Wharf" - June 9, 2011