Queens Wharf options open for debate

The public can join the debate over how to spruce up Queens Wharf. Photos / Supplied

The public can now join the fray in debating how to spruce up Auckland's Queens Wharf for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully unveiled a website today that shows off four proposals for a revamp and lets people give their two cents.

The Government and Auckland Regional Council bought Queens Wharf in 2009 in order to turn it into a feature space to hold the crowds expected for the World Cup. Prime Minister John Key has said he wants Queens Wharf to become "party central" during the Cup.

But a public competition to come up with a design last year ended with eight finalists all rejected.

Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee called the designs "lacklustre, underwhelming and mediocre".

Since then, dithering over what to do with the wharf has ranged from an idea to pare down ambitions and build a $10 million temporary venue, to a $100m new design that would turn the wharf into a cruise ship terminal.

Four plans have now been put to the public for input.

The first three designs are short term options, developed with a focus on preparing Queens Wharf for celebrations related to Rugby World Cup 2011.

Option four is a proposal to build a cruise ship terminal and public open space, to be completed in time for the Rugby World Cup.