People first for Tank Farm project

The Wynyard Wharf tank farm. Picture / Martin Sykes

The largest waterfront development in the history of Auckland could be taken away from Ports of Auckland and placed in a public entity that puts the long-term needs of citizens ahead of commercial profits.

Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee yesterday said the tank farm development on 35ha of prime waterfront land was a priceless opportunity to achieve something of lasting planning and architectural excellence.

"Careful consideration" was been given to placing the port company's tank farm land into a public entity to oversee a 20-year plan to turn the contaminated dockland into a world-class people place, he said.

The ARC owns 100 per cent of the port company through a subsidiary property arm, Auckland Regional Holdings. Mr Lee said the port company should focus on making commercial profits from its core business of moving cargo and not be distracted by a waterfront development that had long-term economic and social benefits for the city and the region.

It would be irresponsible of the ARC, as owner of the port company, not to turn a profit on the tank farm but it was not looking at maximum, short-term profits, he said.

Mr Lee's comments come at a crunch time for the mammoth project, which has been through countless "visions" and is finally reaching gestation.

The Auckland City Council is on the brink of rezoning the land - worth about $500 million - to provide apartments, parks and office buildings while keeping the marine and fishing industries on the harbour edge.

About 18ha of land at the northern end of the tank farm and 2ha of wharves are owned by the port company. The rest is privately owned.

Ports chief executive Geoff Vazey last night said he was aware the ARC had a number of options for the tank farm, including putting the Ports' land in a separate entity.

He said the company, which has spent about $5 million on developing the tank farm and produced its own detailed concept design last year, was "keen" to stay involved. Putting aside 20 per cent of the land for public space was proof the company was not interested in maximising profit, he said.

Asked on Friday why the port company should be involved in a development that bore no resemblance to its core business, Mr Vazey said: "Number one, we own it. We are interested in what it becomes and as a good corporate citizen we want to see it become fantastic."

However, there have been calls for the redevelopment to be put under the control of a single-purpose waterfront authority. Many fear a repeat of the development on the old railway land along Quay St with its tacky apartments, fast-food outlets and tyre shops.

Graeme Scott, chairman of the Institute of Architects' urban issues group, has welcomed Mr Lee's idea for a public entity separate from the port company.

"The board of Ports of Auckland is not the right entity to build a whole new piece of the city," said Mr Scott.

ARC councillor Joel Cayford believed the governance for the waterfront should include all the stakeholders, public and private, working together to establish and implement a masterplan. This approach worked in Melbourne and Perth for waterfront developments, he said.

"The various parties are in the ring but it is a bit of a boxing match at the moment," Mr Cayford said.

Submissions

Aucklanders can have their say on the rules for the Tank Farm by expressing a view to the Auckland City Council before March 17.

The council wants feedback before notifying a district plan change on May 31 to rezone the land from marine industrial activities to a combination of marine, commercial, residential and open space use.

Once the plan change is notified and goes through the Resource Management Act process, the public will have further opportunities to comment. To get a feedback form, call the council on (09) 379-2020 or visit the Auckland City Council website (link below).

The Herald would also like to hear your views. Email us via the link below. 

Looking at past, present and future History

Original Auckland shoreline progressively reclaimed since 1840.

Western reclamation completed in 1930.

Area first used by timber trade and later in 1930s for bulk petro-chemical storage (hence the name "tank farm").

Tank farm used in modern times by petrochemical, bulk liquid, fishing and marine industries.

What's there now?

Bulk liquid industry: 500,000 tonnes of bulk liquids and cement cross Wynyard Wharf each year. Bulk liquids produce $1.2 billion and 4000 jobs for the Auckland economy.

Marine industry: 109 marine companies around tank farm and Westhaven provide 996 jobs, $400 million turnover and exports worth $120 million.

Fishing industry: Home for Moana Pacific, Sanford and Simunovich fishing fleets.

Americas Cup Village Ltd: Manages berths and water space in Viaduct Harbour. Owned by Auckland Regional Council through an investment arm.

Private landowners: Viaduct Harbour Holdings Ltd owns much of the land south of Pakenham St, including the large Stagecoach bus depot. Other private landowners include Caltex and the Fisher Trust.

What's planned by Auckland City Council

2.7km of public walkways 10m to 20m wide.

3-4ha park on eastern side of headland (Victoria Park is 9ha).

Long narrow street park linking Victoria Park to eastern park.

Central park on Daldy St the size of a rugby field.

3500 apartments taking up one third of the land for 4000 to 5000 people.

Apartment buildings of 4-6 storeys on headland.

Apartment and commercial buildings of up to 16 storeys along Daldy St south of Jellicoe St.

New movable bridge linking Viaduct Harbour with tank farm for pedestrians and public transport.

Restaurants, bars, cafes, fish and fresh produce markets along Jellicoe St.

Marine events centre at western viaduct.

Marine industry on western edge of tank farm.

Fishing industry based east of Wynyard Wharf.