28 April 2006

Tank Farm: Council considers consultation

A special meeting of the Urban Strategy and Governance committee yesterday considered the analysis of public feedback on the concept for the future of the Tank Farm published in March.

This feedback on this concept will help inform the council's District Plan change for the area later this year.

The consultation feedback showed that people supported the type and location of open space, the marine and fishing industry, the proposed transport solutions and the idea of a marine events precinct.

The feedback also suggested that the area from Jellicoe Street north be set aside as a park.

Many submitters also showed a preference for little or no development on this northern area.

"Given the importance of these issues we have established a panel of experts in urban design to help us strike this delicate balance between public space and development," said the Deputy Mayor and chairperson of the Urban Strategy and Governance committee Dr Bruce Hucker.

"Before we finalise the District Plan change we will need to consider the mix of things that will happen in the area during the day and at night, and how this relates to the rest of the development and the city."

"Our primary objective is to get a quality development through good urban design."

The council will also consider how the public infrastructure like roads, public space and stormwater infrastructure will be funded.

"We have limited resources to fund unbudgeted projects over the next 10 years," said Dr Hucker.

"We need to strike a balance between what we would like to do and the ability to fund the works including the public space which does not come for free.

"We are thinking about the best way to achieve the outcome people want for Wynyard Point in the most effective way for the whole city."

As part of its long-term council community plan Auckland City is considering a development contributions policy that would see developers funding growth-related transport infrastructure on Wynyard Point.

A development contributions regime for the public space will be considered later this year in conjunction with a review of a development contributions policy for the CBD.

"Auckland City will continue to work closely with the ARC and Ports of Auckland throughout the development of the District Plan change and the future development of Wynyard Point," said Dr Hucker.

Auckland City will consider these matters along with recommendations from the expert panel at a special Urban Strategy and Governance Committee meeting in May.

ENDS

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