Waterfront agency set to have unfettered powers

Directors appointed by Rodney Hide would have free rein to develop the Auckland waterfront. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Unelected directors will have free rein to develop the Auckland waterfront with limited public input under a proposal released yesterday.

The agency designing the Super City - made up of unelected appointees, bureaucrats and consultants - wants to give complete planning and implementation of the waterfront, supported by "sufficient funding", to a Waterfront Development Agency.

Local Government Minister and Act leader Rodney Hide will appoint the initial directors of the agency, who will be empowered to prepare a new waterfront masterplan.

The agency will see the creation of one public vehicle for the development and operation of the waterfront, says a discussion paper issued by the Auckland Transition Agency.

"The agency will have a clear objective and be mandated to promote, encourage and facilitate a well planned and implemented redevelopment of Auckland's waterfront for all Aucklanders and New Zealanders to enjoy," the paper said.

The agency will own and manage the waterfront - excluding Ports of Auckland land - from Teal Park in the east to the Auckland Harbour Bridge Park in the west, including Queens Wharf, the Viaduct Harbour, 18.5ha of publicly owned land at the Tank Farm and Westhaven Marina.

The paper said the agency will review the current masterplan to give effect to the Auckland Council's own vision for the waterfront and Spatial Plan for the region.

But because the agency will be a "council-controlled organisation" at arm's length from the council, it will be able to operate behind closed doors and potentially push through controversial projects such as Queens Wharf with little or no public input.

Last night, Auckland City Mayor John Banks said the Auckland waterfront was truly magnificent and the city's competitive advantage.

"Its future should not be put in the hands of unelected people.

"This won't go over well with those interested parties that really care about this iconic waterfront and the council will be making strong counter submissions about these matters," Mr Banks said.

The council, he said, supported the agency being an implementation body with waterfront masterplanning overseen by the Auckland Council.

Heart of the City chief executive Alex Swney, who has long campaigned for public access and control of development for the waterfront, called the proposal for the Waterfront Development Agency deeply worrying.

The discussion paper includes details for four other CCOs overseeing: council investments; economic development, tourism and events; major regional facilities; and property holdings.

After widespread public concern about the powers of unelected directors running CCOs, the agency has recommended they must take account of the views expressed by local boards under statements of intent approved by the Auckland Council.

The public have until March 26 to provide feedback to the Auckland Transition Agency.

Masterplan:

* New agency would own and manage from Teal Park in the east to the Auckland Harbour Bridge Park in the west.

* Only Ports of Auckland land would be excluded.

* The agency would be at arm's length from the council and be able to operate behind closed doors.