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Mayor delighted at award win
3 July, 2007
Mayor delighted at award
win
Waitakere Mayor Bob
Harvey is delighted his council has won an excellence award
at the recent 2007 Property Council of New Zealand Awards
for its Waitakere Central complex.
“We took a risk with our new building, albeit for very good reason, and initially many people doubted the project and queried its cost,” Mayor Harvey says.
“But this award, which not only recognises the eco-friendly principles incorporated into the design of this building but also the crucial flow-on economic benefits of centralising council in Henderson, goes a long way to proving we made the right decision,”
Since it was officially opened by Prime Minister Helen Clark in September 2006, Waitakere Central has brought more than 700 fulltime staff, and its 50,000 annual visitors, into walking distance of the main business area of Henderson.
Indeed, when the council decided to relocate its premises it did so because it believed that centralising its nine separate offices would give Waitakere’s main CBD an unprecedented shot in the arm.
“The council has brought new business, life and heart to Waitakere CBD of Henderson,” Mayor Harvey says.
"The Property Council is on the money when it says Waitakere Central acts as ‘a catalyst for the redevelopment’ of the surrounding area.”
The Property Council attributed the win to Waitakere Central’s strategic position, – “it demonstrates a potential to stimulate town centre urban design initiatives beyond its immediate site” – the cultural heritage it embraces and also its green design.
Waitakere Central is connected by a link bridge to a public transport interchange incorporating the western railway line and a bus interchange.
Not only did the Property Council say Waitakere Central “showcases” the city’s commitment to environmentally sustainable design but also that the “building was completed on budget and represents exceptionally good value for the expenditure of public funds”.
Waitakere Central is also a finalist in the Association of Consulting Engineers NZ (ACENZ) annual awards of excellence which are to be announced in Napier next month.
***ENDS***
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