Institute of Architects President urges Council to stop harbour encroachment

The President of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, Pip Cheshire, has urged Auckland Council to stop the further encroachment into Waitemata Harbour by Council-owned company Ports of Auckland.

“While the operation of the port is vital to the city and to the region’s economy so too is the aesthetic quality of the harbour,” Cheshire said.

“The Waitemata Harbour is critical to the Council’s stated ambition to make Auckland the world’s most liveable city. For many Aucklanders, a big part of what makes their city liveable right now is the harbour.”

“The Council’s recent approval of the port company’s plan to extend Bledisloe Wharf nearly 100 metres out into the harbour does not seem consistent with the
most liveable city vision.”

Cheshire said the planned wharf extension negates many of the benefits of the
Council’s 2009 decision to buy Queen’s Wharf from the ports company.

“Aucklanders paid $40 million for something it seemed they already owned, but were assured that the purchase would preserve harbour views from the end of Queens Wharf.”

“Those views will be severely obstructed if the proposed wharf extension goes Cheshire said he hoped Auckland’s elected representatives will reconsider their approval of the Bledisloe Wharf extension.

“Auckland Council is charged with the ordered development of the city, balancing economic imperatives with other factors affecting the well-being of the “With their approval of the wharf extension, the Council have got this balance wrong, and I urge the Council to change its stance on the extension.”

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