Pat on the back for management of 'son of Britomart'

By BERNARD ORSMAN

The Auckland City Council has won praise for the way it has consulted the public and managed the $261 million "son of Britomart" project.

Audit New Zealand has reviewed the management processes for the new downtown transport terminal and found that the council learned lessons from the unpopular Britomart project promoted by former mayor Les Mills.

After dumping the Mills scheme in November 1999, the council developed a standalone transport terminal costing nearly $100 million more than the old scheme, which was part of a bigger underground project.

Auckland mayor Christine Fletcher said the report was an endorsement for management of the new project.

The council was about to work on Britomart - a project that will bring trains back to Queen St for the first time in 70 years and transform the dilapidated four-block precinct behind the old Chief Post Office.

Audit NZ director Brian Smith said it was particularly impressed with the extent of public consultation and market research.

The openness of a public design competition - which selected Californian architect Mario Madayag and local architectural firm Jasmax - could be a blueprint for other projects.

It said the council's cost-benefit report on Britomart broke new ground for local government. But it suggested improvement in selection of consultants and contractors.

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