Auckland City Council
Media release

20 December 2007

Auckland Art Gallery gets green light

Auckland City Council is delighted that the Environment Court has approved its altered roofline design submitted as part of the amended designation and resource consent for the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki development.

The Environment Court has issued a further interim decision giving certainty that the building component of the development can proceed. Conditions of the resource consent and a detailed landscape plan are to be submitted to the court.

After the initial hearing in September, the court gave an interim decision approving resource consent for the project subject to Auckland City Council re-examining part of the roof design.

The council submitted an altered design addressing the court’s concerns and sought approval within the required 90-day period.

The Mayor of Auckland city, Hon. John Banks QSO says “This decision is great news for the city and a big day for the region. The new art gallery will significantly add to the region’s tourism infrastructure. Congratulations to all those involved.”

Chris Saines, the gallery’s director, says he is thrilled the project can now move ahead, allowing final planning for the restoration and expansion work

“This has been a long journey, but I’m delighted we have now got certainty on the building design from the Environment Court,” says Mr Saines.

“As instructed by the court, we will continue to work together with the other parties on the landscape plans and other conditions to ensure we reach a satisfactory conclusion for all.

“The next phase of the development is confirming a contractor through the tender process. Soon thereafter we will be making recommendations to council that we proceed with the project, so we can get on with construction in the new year,” says Mr Saines.

The new and improved Auckland Art Gallery is due to be completed in 2010.

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