Sunday, February 28, 2010

My Submission on Auckland SuperCity Bill 3

Submission on the Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill. February 2010

1. Introduction

This submission is from Joel Cayford, Auckland Regional Councillor

Joel Cayford
94 Ngataringa Road
Devonport
North Shore City
09 445 2763 / 0274 978 123 / joel.cayford@arc.govt.nz

The information presented herein derives from my long interest in Auckland and Auckland Local Government, and twelve years as an elected representative during which time I have served on Devonport Community Board, North Shore City Council and Auckland Regional Council.
I would appreciate the opportunity to speak to my submission.

2. Summary

The purpose of the changed governance arrangements provided for in the Bill are described in the General policy statement that is embedded in the Bill's explanatory note as follows:

“…to create one Auckland, which has strong regional governance, integrated decision making, greater community engagement and improved value for money….” There seems little likelihood this purpose will be achieved given the problems inherent in the Bill as drafted:
· The Bill fails to provide clear authority, control and accountability linkages between the Auckland Council and the proposed CCOs;
· The Bill fails to adequately define Auckland Council’s role to develop either a spatial plan and associated strategies, or other strategies, priorities and policies, and the delegation and control by Auckland Council of proposed CCOs to ensure delivery and implementation of such policies and strategies set by Council;
· There is no detail around how the Council will achieve alignment and integration among and between, and maintain control and accountability of the CCOs that Government has agreed be established to operate at ‘arms length’ from Council;
· Also missing is important detail on the functions, powers and duties of the tier of local boards that one imagines are intended to deliver the ‘greater community engagement’ and community based decision making that the Bill aims for, and there is no mechanism provided whereby Local Boards can influence or be consulted about, works or services that are planned in their areas by any of the CCOs;
· It is difficult to see how integrated decision-making will be possible - either horizontally or vertically - given the strong structural separation that has been designed into the overall structure;
· It is also difficult to see how the Bill will ensure that “improved value for money” is delivered under the new arrangements, given the deep layers of management and bureaucracy that appear to be required, and the number of independent management, financial and control systems that are certain to be associated with the number of separate entities.

3. Specific Recommendations

I would like to highlight the following areas of particular concern, and submit that specific changes are required to the Bill to address them:

§ Auckland Council control over CCO’s

The term “Council Controlled Organisation” as defined in the Bill is a misnomer. The Bill’s provisions limit the control that Auckland Council can exercise over the CCOs that the Bill provides to deliver the bulk of local services to ratepayers. The CCO’s and their assets are owned on behalf of ratepayers by Auckland Council. Auckland Council raises rates from ratepayers to meet the costs incurred by the CCOs to deliver local services. The Bill’s provisions need to unequivocally define and describe the extent of control exercised by Auckland Council over the directions and priorities of each of its CCOs. Provisions in the current draft of the Bill leave that control in a blur of director appointments and highly qualified statements of intent. The Bill needs to clearly state that CCO’s – unless required otherwise by Auckland Council – must act consistently with the strategies and policies of Auckland Council.

§ Regional Strategic Planning and the Spatial Plan

While I agree that Auckland would benefit from a Spatial Plan approach to regional planning – one that is about planning for what Auckland wants, rather than the RMA approach which is about planning to avoid what we don’t want – I don’t believe the approach provided for in the Bill is appropriate. As I understand it, the Bill provides for a Statutory Spatial Plan which stands alone. As drafted the Bill’s Spatial Plan would have no effect on any of the CCO’s, and nor would it inter-relate with other Statutory Plans such as the LTCCP or the Regional Policy Statement. In effect the Bill would provide for a sort of Spatial Plan “play thing”. A distraction from what is needed. I am advised also that further changes envisaged to the RMA (further streamline changes etc which may deal with concepts such as the Metropolitan Urban Limit and the need for integrated planning and suchlike) can be expected to substantially change the legislative environment in which a Spatial Plan would be conceived and implemented. I am of the view that these legislative changes need to be dealt with prior to requiring Auckland Council to prepare a Spatial Plan. In addition there are significant practical impediments that would prevent an effective Spatial Plan being prepared in under three years – these include the fact that there are several different GIS (Geographic Information Systems) which need to be properly integrated to allow the detailed regional modelling and the coordination of different data sets needed to provide a credible evidence base to support Spatial Plan scenario development.

However, in the absence of a Spatial Plan, it is crucial that the incoming Auckland Council is provided with a regional strategic planning document resulting from the analytical work described in Schedule 1 of the Bill. At present the Bill requires this planning work to be carried out by ATA and includes the consolidation of existing TA LTCCPs, for each of the next 6 or 7 years. I submit that this work needs to also describe key infrastructure projects – not just activity classes. And set out the rationale and prioritisation policies used in those LTCCPs for such projects. For example the planning document should list, by year, and by area, infrastructure projects that cost in excess of $1,000,000, in each activity class, and provide an account of the policy basis for project prioritisation. This planning document would then form the starting point for Auckland Council.

I further submit that there is an omission in the consolidation process currently required of ATA in the Bill. The consolidation and planning process carried out by ATA should also include the next 6 or 7 years from Watercare’s current Long Term Planning documents. It is inappropriate for Auckland Council to commence business without a properly integrated and consolidated set of plans for the whole region and for all of its activity classes, assets and services.

§ Subsidiarity and Local Boards

In order for the Local Boards to have a truly “placeshaping” role it is crucial that their functions should be clearly defined, substantive and meaningful. I understand that ATA (The Auckland Transition Agency) is required to develop a plan setting out functions of each Local Board, based on an assessment of the various LTCCPs that exist across the region. That will be a useful baseline. However, I believe it would assist the conduct of this activity, if the Bill were to provide direction requiring all parties to ensure that decisions are taken at the lowest level affected. The purpose of this direction is to ensure to the best extent possible, that regional decisions are taken at regional level, and that local decisions are taken at local level.

§ Local Board relationship with CCOs

Under the Bill, the Local Boards will not have the ability to input into any strategies or plans made by the CCOs nor will the CCOs be accountable to the Local Boards for work done in a local area. This makes a nonsense of the stated intention to retain the “local” in local government. I would like to see some provision in the Bill for Local Boards to have the ability to deal directly with the transport organisation or any of the other CCO’s where there is a local impact in respect of the work they are doing. I believe there should be a requirement in the Bill for the CCO’s to have in place a Local Board Agreement stipulating how the Local Boards and the CCO’s will interact and what decision making will prevail between the 2 bodies by 30 April of the year following an election. Some sort of statutory mechanism needs to be established in respect to works in local roads and streets, and local water and wastewater services, whereby the relevant CCO must consistently conduct effective engagement with all Local Boards.

§ One Rates & Services Bill

There is a risk of proliferation of systems, databases and structures with the emergence of a number of more or less separate CCOs.

Similarly there are cost risks associated with the establishment of layers of management required to control very large corporate entities – which themselves are not subject to self regulation through market forces, nor are there parallel structures enabling comparative benchmarking measures to be used to force management disciplines. Auckland Council will have its hands full controlling a burgeoning culture of middle-management, and staffing its own CCO monitoring and control structures.

The Bill can assist in protecting against some of the worst excesses of corporate separatism by requiring – for example – that, after the transitionary phase, there be a single rates and services bill. Thus ratepayers would receive a single Bill, quarterly or every two months, that would itemise their local government service costs for that period. These would – for example – include land rates; water charges based on metered water use; wastewater charges based on volumetric measures; and local targeted rates where these exist.

4. Concluding remarks

Throughout the process of Auckland Governance reform I have expressed strong concerns about both the process and the direction of these reforms. For the purposes of this submission I have set aside my broader concerns, and concentrated on the specific provisions in the Bill which I submit need to change in order to deliver the Government’s stated purpose of the Bill, namely:

“…to create one Auckland, which has strong regional governance, integrated decision making, greater community engagement and improved value for money….”

End

Party Central Will Happen at Queens Wharf

A good ten years ago it was fellow North Shore City Councillor Andrew Eaglen who - when schooling me in the art of being a councillor - advised: "... a good council meeting is one where a bad decision has not been made..."

I breathed a sigh of relief on Friday. A bad decision had not been made. Government has committed to Party Central on Queens Wharf - but no big cruise ship terminal.

It's media release - under the name of the Hon Murray McCully states:

Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully says the Government and the Auckland Regional Council are "fully committed to delivering Party Central at Queens Wharf in Auckland for next year’s Rugby World Cup", but have decided to delay the construction of a cruise terminal until after the event....

“While there is clear public support for a cruise terminal it is also clear that the debate has left some with a concern that the proposal might be rushed in order to meet the World Cup timetable next year. For that reason the Government and the ARC have decided to delay the development of a cruise terminal until after the World Cup.

"In the meantime, the Government and the ARC will work in partnership to deliver Party Central on Queens Wharf. We want Aucklanders and the city’s visitors to be able to enjoy a new public entertainment space that was purchased as a legacy asset.

“We will also put in place temporary cruise facilities of a suitable standard to ensure that our reputation does not suffer during the period of intense cruise activity next year....

While the ARC's media release on Friday states:
"The ARC is very pleased to be working in partnership with the Government to deliver party central on Queens Wharf in time for the cup,” ARC Chairman Mike Lee said.

“We are disappointed – due to the negative attitude of some Auckland mayors – that we’ll be unable to develop a permanent cruise ship terminal within the same timeframe. However, we will make sure appropriate facilities are available on the wharf to cope with the cruise ships being used as hotel accommodation during the cup....

“The ARC will throw Queens Wharf open to the public in April. This will remind everyone what a great asset the ARC and the Government have bought for Auckland, and how proud we will all be once Aucklanders can again get close to the harbour and ships,” said Mr Lee.


It has been interesting and frustrating time, as this Auckland story has surged along with a momentum all of its own. ARC's 8th Feb media release is a salutory reminder...:

It’s encouraging to see Auckland mayors supporting moving ahead with a cruise ship terminal on Queens Wharf, ARC Chairman Mike Lee said today.

“The ARC and Government bought Queens Wharf so Auckland and the rest of New Zealand could capitalise on the country’s growing international cruise ship industry.

“We also bought it to open up access to the waterfront so Aucklanders and visitors to the region could make the most of an outstanding venue for events, and as a public place just to relax and enjoy the harbour.

“The ARC has been absolutely consistent about the need for a decent cruise ship terminal on Queens Wharf. This is why we and the Government bought it.

“While earlier designs were disappointing, I am confident the latest design options for Queens Wharf have considerable potential to match this superb location,” said Mr Lee.

“However, as we have stated consistently, we need to look carefully at the cost and ensure what is built provides value for money in the long run.”

Auckland is expecting 60 cruise ship visits this season – including the Queen Mary II – and 71 next season. February is the busiest month. Seven cruise ships will visit Auckland this week – on three of those days two cruise ships will be in at the same time. Last week there were three cruise ships in Auckland at once.

Research done by the ARC, Government and Auckland City Council shows that on average, each cruise ship passenger spends between $200 and $300 in Auckland each day they are here.

Government research shows the cruise ship industry contributed $117 million to GDP during the 2007-2008 season.

“This research shows without question just how important the cruise ship industry is. It would be silly to allow petty politics and political campaigning to delay Auckland having a welcoming, world-class cruise ship terminal that would enable the city and country to take full advantage of growth in the industry and tourist dollars,” said Mr Lee.


It is interesting to note that a number of New Zealand ports are visited regularly by cruise ships as they make their way around our coastline. It's not just Auckland that is thinking about this stuff.

For example, the Dawn Princess and the Sun Princess both promote tours that include Sydney and Melbourne, and which visit, in New Zealand: Fiordland, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Gisborne, Tauranga, Auckland, and the Bay of Islands.

Here is how the Cruise Ship program promotes the various New Zealand ports of call in their brochure:

Day 4 Monday February 8, 2010 Fjordland National Park
Today we cruise through some of the most spectacular scenery in New Zealand as we visit Milford, Dusky and Doubtful Sounds. These spectacular fjords will be a highlight of the cruise, with spectacular scenery and fascinating wildlife. The day will be free for you to enjoy the grand views or take part in some of the many activities available aboard Sun Princess.

Day 5 Tuesday February 9, 2010 Dunedin (Port Chalmers)
We arrive in the city of Dunedin this morning. Originally founded by Scottish settlers and known as the “Edinburgh of the South”, it now consists of beautifully preserved buildings overlooking parklands. We will visit the historic Jacobean style Olveston House, containing a treasure trove of art and antiques, as we explore this attractive city.

Day 6 Wednesday February 10, 2010 Christchurch (Akaroa)
Today we call into the village of Akaroa. Originally founded by the French, it is now a delightful town, still retaining the ambience of France. We have a sightseeing tour of Christchurch with its very English feel. It is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand. The city boasts modern architecture and historic buildings set against beautiful parks, gardens, rivers and beaches. We return to Akaroa where there will be some time at leisure.

Day 7 Thursday February 11, 2010 Wellington
Today we will have a sightseeing tour of the main sights of Wellington including the Houses of Parliament known as “the Beehive”. We visit Mount Victoria, where we have 360 degree views of the city, then travel by cable car to the Botanical Gardens.

Day 8 Friday February 12, 2010 Napier
Today we visit the city of Napier. We will have a city tour, during which our local guide will provide in depth information about Art Deco style architecture of the city. We will see the National Tobacco building and many shops and houses designed in this popular 1930s style. In February 1931, an earthquake registering 7.9 on the Richter scale levelled almost all the buildings of Napier and raised the sea bed by two and a half meters.

Day 9 Saturday February 13, 2010 Tauranga
We arrive in Tauranga this morning. Tauranga has a thriving commercial and business centre and is a very busy port. Dominating the scene is the harbour and Mount Maunganui. We travel to Rotorua, a small city on the shores of Lake Rotorua, where we explore the geothermal activity of geysers, boiling mud pools and steaming craters. We will see a geyser display, where boiling water shoots many metres into the air and the blue and green lakes named for their reflective qualities.

Day 10 Sunday February 14, 2010 Auckland
Auckland is the largest city and commercial centre of New Zealand. Our morning city
tour takes in the main sights of Auckland, including the Harbour Bridge, which spans the beautiful Waitemata Harbour, Mount Eden, where we get a panoramic view of the city, the Auckland Museum and the quaint and stylish shopping area of Parnell. We will board the Sun Princess early afternoon. Be up on deck as we sail out of the gorgeous Auckland harbour at 6.00pm

Day 11 Monday February 15, 2010 Bay of Islands
Today we call into the far north of New Zealand and visit the spectacular Bay of Islands. We have a morning sightseeing tour and we visit Waitangi House, overlooking the Bay of Islands, where on February 6th, 1840, that the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed between Maori and the British Crown. The Treaty House – built for the first British Resident, James Busby and his family is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most visited historic homes. The afternoon is free....


It is interesting to read what how the industry sees each of these "destinations". What is attractive. What is the reason to visit. I hope that one day, Auckland's waterfront will rate a mention as a key attraction. And I emphasise - just having a cruise ship terminal does not a waterfront make.

BTW, I was talking to someone involved in the Christchurch/Lyttleton cruise ship terminal project: should we have a fancy cruise ship terminal - or not. Economic advice for the Port Company - assuming about 60 cruise ship visits annually - was that there was economic justification for the port company to build a $15 million cruise ship terminal. Then, if you added the economic benefit arising from the spending of cruise ship passengers in Christchurch, there was a further economic justification of an additional $10 million investment in a cruise ship terminal. This gives a total of $25 million for a cruise ship terminal - based on their economic evaluation.

And a further BTW. Here's my anecdotal experience of what cruise ship passengers do. One indicator of how they spend their money, is based on the ferry loads who go over to Devonport Wharf, and the Village. I usually get my hair cut on the Devonport Wharf. There's a Navy Haircut establishment there. Also does Blue Rinses (I don't get those. Yet.) When there's a cruise ship in, there's a queue of cruise ship women waiting for a blue rinse. The hairdresser told me the secret: "I do them for $25, but it costs them $50 on the ship...". Hardly spend-thrifts! And apparently the other indicator is the steady procession of cruise ship passengers trudging back and forward along Quay Street going to the Supermarket. Cheap wine or gin maybe? I know these are anecdotal. But these observations hardly support the assertion that cruise ship passengers each "...spend $300 a day..." when they are in Auckland.

Anyway. Friday was a good day. We didn't make a bad decision.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Two Cruise Ships Berth in Wellington Harbour



Was in Wellington on Thursday, and as the taxi drove me round Oriental Bay, I couldn't help noticing a couple of cruise ships berthed in the harbour.


Very dramatic.




This rough map shows where they were berthed. You can see the Westpac Stadium near the ships, and also some piles of containers. The Cruise ships are berthed in the main port area.

Wellington is working on a more appropriate facility a little North of here, near the Cook Strait Ferry Terminal.

The point is - and the taxi driver confirmed this - that while cruise ships do not berth in downtown Wellington, the city still benefits. Cruise ship passengers all visit and enjoy downtown Wellington, and Wellington benefits from their spending and presence, without losing waterfront amenity, through it being transformed into a Cruise Ship parking place.


These two pedestrians are enjoying Wellington's waterfront, oblivious to the fact that two cruise ships are berthed close by. (You can just make out the superstructure of the Dawn Princess, behind the pile of containers, just behind the rescue helicopter.)


And these two guys - enjoying diving off Wellington's waterfront - are also oblivious to the fact Wellington is being visited by a couple of cruise ships. Their fun is not being affected by cruise ships berthed nearby. Thought they were being photographed by cruise ship passengers visiting Wellington.

And this is the point:

Wellington's downtown waterfront is a destination for people - including the cruise ship passengers.

Wellington understands that it is critical to the success of its waterfront, that it be a people place - rather than a parking place for cars, superyachts, and cruise ships. These vehicles have their place - but it's not detracting from the amenity of the CBD waterfront.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Vos Building - Maritime Heritage at Wynyard Quarter

This blog is about heritage buildings, and the marine heritage industry at Wynyard Quarter down on Auckland's waterfront. It is about the need to take an integrated approach to Heritage Planning on that part of Auckland's waterfront. This blog tries to argue in support of the huge value to the Auckland economy of its waterfront maritime heritage and its visitor potential.

It also notes that unless Auckland's public authorities grab this opportunity, then there is a risk that the drive for new development will steamroll over this potential, and the possibility of truly worldclass mixed use waterfront regeneration project will be lost.

The blog ends with a few images from the Roskilde Waterfront development in Denmark. This exemplar is there for Auckland to learn from. I'm sure there are others.


This is a Google aerial of the Western Reclamation, aka Wynyard Quarter on Auckland's waterfront.

There are many heritage buildings and sites and structures on the land. The yellow ring marks one of them....

Here it is closer. It is the Vos Building and slipway, currently operated under lease by Sanfords. It is located on Hamer Street.

The slipways run out into the waters used for access to Westhaven Marina...

Here's a group of ARC Councillors there on Tuesday this week for a site visit. As you can see the frontage of the Vos Building today - lined in corrugated iron - does not present a very pre-possessing street frontage. Yet it conceals a number of treasures that a few Aucklanders are aware of, and believe hold a wealth of opportunities for the future...

Round the back there is plenty of obvious evidence of the bits and pieces of rusty iron-mongery that characterise a long relationship with boats and chandlery...

And it's the slipways that immediately grab your attention. There are two main slipways to the left, and in the foreground is a hard stand. You can see the basalt stonework on the floor of the hardstand in the foreground, and the narrow - and quite special - basalt rivetements that line the main slipways.

In the background you can make out the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

The two main slipways can each haul out boats up to one hundred tonnes. Sanfords use the site from time to time to service fishing boats. The facility is a little run down today - like many of the heritage opportunities on Wynyard Quarter.

Many of the pictures below were taken inside the building you can see behind the two boat trailers...

Where-ever you look there are interesting piles of marine ironworks from the past...

This is the interior of the main wood and boat carpentery workshop on the site...

It is very original, and while it is used - I understand from time to time today - it has become more of a storage shed than a very active workshop.

The machinery, floor, and furnishings breathe the history of the place...

A great deal of character....

If walls could talk...

Here's how the street frontage of the Vos Building looked during World War II, and here's the workforce outside on the occasion of the launch of its most recent creation...

...an all wood Fairmile motorboat. These are the boats that rolled off the Vos Building slipways then. It's fishing boats today. It could become a major part of the New Zealand classic boat industry, where classic wooden boats are repaired, restored and maintained. And in such a way that it becomes an important tourist and visitor destination.

Roskilde, Denmark, shows a way forward. This time around Viking Longboats, and other important vessels from Nordic history...


This image is from the walkway that runs through the Roskilde industrial waterfront. You can see a few Viking Longboat replicas tied up closeby. In the background are modern sailing boats and the local fishing fleet...


This workshop - part of the tourist circuit - is where all wooden boats are maintained and built...


This is another view of the waterfront at Roskilde.

We need to think more broadly in Auckland for the Wynyard Quarter - and for the whole of the waterfront - than just the plastic fantastic boat industry.

You can see more pictures of Roskilde at:

http://www.places4people.org.nz/roskilde.htm#line1

Monday, February 22, 2010

Queens Wharf Party Central - Still a Good Idea!


So here we have Queens Wharf, as she looks today. But as of April this year, she will be in the hands of Auckland Regional Council and Central Government.

The dust is settling after the big cruise ship option 4 was set aside by the Auckland Region's 7 mayors at the Mayoral Forum last Friday.

What to do now?


This is Option 2. As you can see this is a low cost clean up of Queens Wharf so it can serve the function as Party Central. Without doing anything permanent to any of the structures.





And this is Option 3. Slightly more expensive. But the same principle. And it appears to have the capacity of enabling a cruise ship to berth there, serving as overflow accommodation for rugby fans during the Rugby World Cup. Looks pretty good. Will not let Auckland down.

Either of these options would serve the purpose.


But there is a hiccup. There is a confusion. A reaction to Friday's mayoral decision has been that the whole Party Central idea should be canned as well. Bit like throwing the baby out with the bathwater....

Auckland will love hosting a Party Central. We did it during the America's Cup. Here's a picture of how they hosted America's Cup Party Central in Valencia: The Woolshed.

People could shelter from direct sunshine, or rain, or wind - but there was plenty of air blowing through...

This facility worked really well in Valencia. People loved it. It will work well on Queens Wharf too.

Big screens strategically placed. Some areas had seating, others a bit more casual. Needs to be good for families, for young people wanting a good time, for older people too. A people's place...


Lots of people will actually go to rugby matches (unlike the yachting where it's hard for people to get out there and watch a race - TV is better for most).

But with seat tickets going for a King's Ransom for NZ's Rugby World Cup, and with matches happening all over the country, a lot of Aucklanders will be watching TV screens, just as they watched yachting in Valencia....


And it's quite fun to do that in a big group, especially when there are fans around from other countries doing the same - in the same space.

So far, it is planned that surplus Rugby fan accommodation will be provided by a Cruise Ship moored at Queens Wharf. This will provide a critical mass of rugby fans, rights on the spot - could a be a few thousand - the Queens Wharf shed(s) could become their TV viewing room. Places where they can invite NZ guests, places where Aucklanders can go to enjoy the fun too. Because Queens Wharf will be very busy place with the comings and goings of fans and their friends and guests.


We need to get with the action on this, and use the opportunity that the Queens Wharf sheds provide. We could do a lot worse than copy the Valencia example.

Party Central on Queens Wharf is the right idea.

And it serves another very important purpose...


Have you been on Queens Wharf yet?
Have you been inside the Sheds?
Have you experienced the views?

Hardly anybody has.

Would you renovate the house you just bought before you've lived in it for a while. Not likely! Same goes for Queens Wharf. Auckland needs to live on it for a while. Auckland needs to feel what it's like to have Queens Wharf for public uses. We need to experiment. Before we do anything permament down there.



I've been lucky enough to have a walk-over. Before I did I thought we should bowl the sheds. But then I went into them....

This is the cast iron footing for one of the ceiling/1st floor supports....



And this gives an idea of the underside of the 1st floor. This picture gives no idea of size, but I reckon the joist timbers are around 50x20 cms. That's a very hefty joist.



And this picture shows a close up of the floor timbers. They look about the cross section of railway sleepers, and are coach-nailed into the joists. It was like walking on concrete. You had no idea it was a floor with a big open space below...


This long character-filled space was evocative of all the work that has gone on in there for almost a century. Apparently a lot of the work was about wool bales. Our own wool shed. Even with just a few sky-lights on a grey day the light was great...



Apparently the roof trusses, and probably quite a lot more of the original stucture, was floated out here from Britain complete. Just needed bolting together...


Party Central on Queens Wharf is a good idea. Kills lots of birds with one stone. Has many, many benefits for Auckland and for Aucklanders. Let alone the Rugby World Cup event.

Friday, February 19, 2010

The Woolshed at Valencia

There was a letter in NZ Herald the other day, about Queens Wharf, and the writer had been at Valencia for the America's Cup.

She said she couldn't understand all the fuss about the Queens Wharf sheds, because at Valencia everybody got together inside the "Woolshed".
This looks to have been a huge space with all sorts of things going on in different areas....

People could shelter from direct sunshine, or rain, or wind - but there was plenty of air blowing through...
And big screens strategically placed. Some areas had seating, others a bit more casual...
I appreciate that a lot of people will actually go to rugby matches (unlike the yachting where it's hard for people to get out there and watch a race - TV is better for most).

But with seat tickets going for a King's Ransom for NZ's Rugby World Cup, and with matches happening all over the country, a lot of Aucklanders will be watching TV screens, just as they did in Valencia....
And it's quite fun to do that in a big group, especially when there are fans around from other countries doing the same - in the same space.

So far, it is planned that surplus Rugby fan accommodation will be provided by Cruise Ships moored at Queens Wharf. Those boats will provide a critical mass of rugby fans, rights on the spot - could a be a few thousand - the Queens Wharf shed(s) could become their TV viewing room. Places where they can invite NZ guests, places where Aucklanders can go to enjoy the fun too. Because Queens Wharf will be very busy place with the comings and goings of fans and their friends and guests.
We need to get with the action on this, and use the opportunity that the Queens Wharf sheds provide. We could do a lot worse than copy the Valencia example.
Sure September 2011 runs the risk of being wet, maybe windy, so it makes a lot of sense to have the party indoors - but with the big sliding doors that can be opened in a lull, let the sunshine in, bit of fresh air....
The Queens Wharf sheds have character. They can assist Auckland to host an event with character. A memorable, international, and very sociable event.

Queen Victoria Comes to Auckland

Last Saturday, Queen Victoria made a scheduled "Port of Call" visit to Auckland, and berthed at Princes Wharf. (You can just make out the scaffolding and sheets being used while the leaky building issues are sorted out on those rooms at the end of Hotel Hilton.)
Queen Victoria looks a little smaller than Dawn Princess (pictured here at Princes Wharf last week). Queen Victoria is 90,000 tonnes gross tonnage. Length 294 metres. Beam 32.3 metres.
It appears that Princes Wharf is not standing up the strain of cruise ship visits that well. Not sure if this is because of Hilton Hotel or Apartment resident grumpiness, or if the wharf and cruise ship terminal fittings need maintenance. If so - get it done.

BTW, at least one person has asked me: why don't we allow cruise ships to berth on both sides of Princes Wharf. Make it work for its living.
You can make out Queen Victoria to the right of this picture. On Princes Wharf. Queens Wharf is right of centre - with the brown ferry building behind. The red feright ship to the left is berthed at Bledisloe Wharf. This is where Queen Mark II could be berthed safely (length and strength is good for something the size of Queen Mary II.

Woolloomooloo Wharf Shed Exemplar


Woolloomooloo has done some pretty amazing things with this wharf shed. It used to be a dilapidated wharf warehouse with a street running though it. Now it's the hip W Hotel. As the magazine "Urbis" describes this place: "...the overwhelming first impression is of a huge amount of space and a riot of bright primary colours..."

The project came into being after a group of designers had been given the daunting task of turning a century old waterfront warehouse on Finger Wharf on Sydney's waterfront, into a hip and modern hotel and apartment complex.

In fact that's what Princes Wharf is now: basically a hotel, apartments, and part of the space used for "Port of Call" facilities for cruise ship visits. Instead for Princes Wharf the decision was made to demolish most of the old buildings, and erect some new - higher ones. Seems the complex is now subject to leaky building syndrome....



It appears that the furniture chosen is modern, at odds with the ancient, industrial surrounds, the timber ceiling and corrugated iron walls.

Sounds like the structure these guys worked with here is a bit like the sheds on Queens Wharf: corrugated iron; cast iron framing; and interior timber lining....



The wharf space for the project is different than we have out on Queens Wharf. But it's important to note that this is a finger wharf - like Queens Wharf - and the buildings are almost exactly the same age and condition as the sheds on Queens Wharf.

These pictures are just here for those who think demolition is the only option for Queens Wharf. Sure there are those who say (and I've heard them), "why do we need to do what other waterfronts have done. Why do we need to copy Capetown or Sydney. Can't we do something different...."

Actually, Auckland has its own history and its own heritage (not very much left mind you), but it is ours. It needs to be treasured and celebrated. Not denigrated and demolished. If it's good enough to restore and conserve old wooden railway stations, it's even more essential that we maintain, restore and adapt our waterfront heritage buildings.

To support conservation of railways station buildings, but not waterfront maritime buildings, seems arbitrary - if not two-faced.









Sunday, February 28, 2010

My Submission on Auckland SuperCity Bill 3

Submission on the Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill. February 2010

1. Introduction

This submission is from Joel Cayford, Auckland Regional Councillor

Joel Cayford
94 Ngataringa Road
Devonport
North Shore City
09 445 2763 / 0274 978 123 / joel.cayford@arc.govt.nz

The information presented herein derives from my long interest in Auckland and Auckland Local Government, and twelve years as an elected representative during which time I have served on Devonport Community Board, North Shore City Council and Auckland Regional Council.
I would appreciate the opportunity to speak to my submission.

2. Summary

The purpose of the changed governance arrangements provided for in the Bill are described in the General policy statement that is embedded in the Bill's explanatory note as follows:

“…to create one Auckland, which has strong regional governance, integrated decision making, greater community engagement and improved value for money….” There seems little likelihood this purpose will be achieved given the problems inherent in the Bill as drafted:
· The Bill fails to provide clear authority, control and accountability linkages between the Auckland Council and the proposed CCOs;
· The Bill fails to adequately define Auckland Council’s role to develop either a spatial plan and associated strategies, or other strategies, priorities and policies, and the delegation and control by Auckland Council of proposed CCOs to ensure delivery and implementation of such policies and strategies set by Council;
· There is no detail around how the Council will achieve alignment and integration among and between, and maintain control and accountability of the CCOs that Government has agreed be established to operate at ‘arms length’ from Council;
· Also missing is important detail on the functions, powers and duties of the tier of local boards that one imagines are intended to deliver the ‘greater community engagement’ and community based decision making that the Bill aims for, and there is no mechanism provided whereby Local Boards can influence or be consulted about, works or services that are planned in their areas by any of the CCOs;
· It is difficult to see how integrated decision-making will be possible - either horizontally or vertically - given the strong structural separation that has been designed into the overall structure;
· It is also difficult to see how the Bill will ensure that “improved value for money” is delivered under the new arrangements, given the deep layers of management and bureaucracy that appear to be required, and the number of independent management, financial and control systems that are certain to be associated with the number of separate entities.

3. Specific Recommendations

I would like to highlight the following areas of particular concern, and submit that specific changes are required to the Bill to address them:

§ Auckland Council control over CCO’s

The term “Council Controlled Organisation” as defined in the Bill is a misnomer. The Bill’s provisions limit the control that Auckland Council can exercise over the CCOs that the Bill provides to deliver the bulk of local services to ratepayers. The CCO’s and their assets are owned on behalf of ratepayers by Auckland Council. Auckland Council raises rates from ratepayers to meet the costs incurred by the CCOs to deliver local services. The Bill’s provisions need to unequivocally define and describe the extent of control exercised by Auckland Council over the directions and priorities of each of its CCOs. Provisions in the current draft of the Bill leave that control in a blur of director appointments and highly qualified statements of intent. The Bill needs to clearly state that CCO’s – unless required otherwise by Auckland Council – must act consistently with the strategies and policies of Auckland Council.

§ Regional Strategic Planning and the Spatial Plan

While I agree that Auckland would benefit from a Spatial Plan approach to regional planning – one that is about planning for what Auckland wants, rather than the RMA approach which is about planning to avoid what we don’t want – I don’t believe the approach provided for in the Bill is appropriate. As I understand it, the Bill provides for a Statutory Spatial Plan which stands alone. As drafted the Bill’s Spatial Plan would have no effect on any of the CCO’s, and nor would it inter-relate with other Statutory Plans such as the LTCCP or the Regional Policy Statement. In effect the Bill would provide for a sort of Spatial Plan “play thing”. A distraction from what is needed. I am advised also that further changes envisaged to the RMA (further streamline changes etc which may deal with concepts such as the Metropolitan Urban Limit and the need for integrated planning and suchlike) can be expected to substantially change the legislative environment in which a Spatial Plan would be conceived and implemented. I am of the view that these legislative changes need to be dealt with prior to requiring Auckland Council to prepare a Spatial Plan. In addition there are significant practical impediments that would prevent an effective Spatial Plan being prepared in under three years – these include the fact that there are several different GIS (Geographic Information Systems) which need to be properly integrated to allow the detailed regional modelling and the coordination of different data sets needed to provide a credible evidence base to support Spatial Plan scenario development.

However, in the absence of a Spatial Plan, it is crucial that the incoming Auckland Council is provided with a regional strategic planning document resulting from the analytical work described in Schedule 1 of the Bill. At present the Bill requires this planning work to be carried out by ATA and includes the consolidation of existing TA LTCCPs, for each of the next 6 or 7 years. I submit that this work needs to also describe key infrastructure projects – not just activity classes. And set out the rationale and prioritisation policies used in those LTCCPs for such projects. For example the planning document should list, by year, and by area, infrastructure projects that cost in excess of $1,000,000, in each activity class, and provide an account of the policy basis for project prioritisation. This planning document would then form the starting point for Auckland Council.

I further submit that there is an omission in the consolidation process currently required of ATA in the Bill. The consolidation and planning process carried out by ATA should also include the next 6 or 7 years from Watercare’s current Long Term Planning documents. It is inappropriate for Auckland Council to commence business without a properly integrated and consolidated set of plans for the whole region and for all of its activity classes, assets and services.

§ Subsidiarity and Local Boards

In order for the Local Boards to have a truly “placeshaping” role it is crucial that their functions should be clearly defined, substantive and meaningful. I understand that ATA (The Auckland Transition Agency) is required to develop a plan setting out functions of each Local Board, based on an assessment of the various LTCCPs that exist across the region. That will be a useful baseline. However, I believe it would assist the conduct of this activity, if the Bill were to provide direction requiring all parties to ensure that decisions are taken at the lowest level affected. The purpose of this direction is to ensure to the best extent possible, that regional decisions are taken at regional level, and that local decisions are taken at local level.

§ Local Board relationship with CCOs

Under the Bill, the Local Boards will not have the ability to input into any strategies or plans made by the CCOs nor will the CCOs be accountable to the Local Boards for work done in a local area. This makes a nonsense of the stated intention to retain the “local” in local government. I would like to see some provision in the Bill for Local Boards to have the ability to deal directly with the transport organisation or any of the other CCO’s where there is a local impact in respect of the work they are doing. I believe there should be a requirement in the Bill for the CCO’s to have in place a Local Board Agreement stipulating how the Local Boards and the CCO’s will interact and what decision making will prevail between the 2 bodies by 30 April of the year following an election. Some sort of statutory mechanism needs to be established in respect to works in local roads and streets, and local water and wastewater services, whereby the relevant CCO must consistently conduct effective engagement with all Local Boards.

§ One Rates & Services Bill

There is a risk of proliferation of systems, databases and structures with the emergence of a number of more or less separate CCOs.

Similarly there are cost risks associated with the establishment of layers of management required to control very large corporate entities – which themselves are not subject to self regulation through market forces, nor are there parallel structures enabling comparative benchmarking measures to be used to force management disciplines. Auckland Council will have its hands full controlling a burgeoning culture of middle-management, and staffing its own CCO monitoring and control structures.

The Bill can assist in protecting against some of the worst excesses of corporate separatism by requiring – for example – that, after the transitionary phase, there be a single rates and services bill. Thus ratepayers would receive a single Bill, quarterly or every two months, that would itemise their local government service costs for that period. These would – for example – include land rates; water charges based on metered water use; wastewater charges based on volumetric measures; and local targeted rates where these exist.

4. Concluding remarks

Throughout the process of Auckland Governance reform I have expressed strong concerns about both the process and the direction of these reforms. For the purposes of this submission I have set aside my broader concerns, and concentrated on the specific provisions in the Bill which I submit need to change in order to deliver the Government’s stated purpose of the Bill, namely:

“…to create one Auckland, which has strong regional governance, integrated decision making, greater community engagement and improved value for money….”

End

Party Central Will Happen at Queens Wharf

A good ten years ago it was fellow North Shore City Councillor Andrew Eaglen who - when schooling me in the art of being a councillor - advised: "... a good council meeting is one where a bad decision has not been made..."

I breathed a sigh of relief on Friday. A bad decision had not been made. Government has committed to Party Central on Queens Wharf - but no big cruise ship terminal.

It's media release - under the name of the Hon Murray McCully states:

Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully says the Government and the Auckland Regional Council are "fully committed to delivering Party Central at Queens Wharf in Auckland for next year’s Rugby World Cup", but have decided to delay the construction of a cruise terminal until after the event....

“While there is clear public support for a cruise terminal it is also clear that the debate has left some with a concern that the proposal might be rushed in order to meet the World Cup timetable next year. For that reason the Government and the ARC have decided to delay the development of a cruise terminal until after the World Cup.

"In the meantime, the Government and the ARC will work in partnership to deliver Party Central on Queens Wharf. We want Aucklanders and the city’s visitors to be able to enjoy a new public entertainment space that was purchased as a legacy asset.

“We will also put in place temporary cruise facilities of a suitable standard to ensure that our reputation does not suffer during the period of intense cruise activity next year....

While the ARC's media release on Friday states:
"The ARC is very pleased to be working in partnership with the Government to deliver party central on Queens Wharf in time for the cup,” ARC Chairman Mike Lee said.

“We are disappointed – due to the negative attitude of some Auckland mayors – that we’ll be unable to develop a permanent cruise ship terminal within the same timeframe. However, we will make sure appropriate facilities are available on the wharf to cope with the cruise ships being used as hotel accommodation during the cup....

“The ARC will throw Queens Wharf open to the public in April. This will remind everyone what a great asset the ARC and the Government have bought for Auckland, and how proud we will all be once Aucklanders can again get close to the harbour and ships,” said Mr Lee.


It has been interesting and frustrating time, as this Auckland story has surged along with a momentum all of its own. ARC's 8th Feb media release is a salutory reminder...:

It’s encouraging to see Auckland mayors supporting moving ahead with a cruise ship terminal on Queens Wharf, ARC Chairman Mike Lee said today.

“The ARC and Government bought Queens Wharf so Auckland and the rest of New Zealand could capitalise on the country’s growing international cruise ship industry.

“We also bought it to open up access to the waterfront so Aucklanders and visitors to the region could make the most of an outstanding venue for events, and as a public place just to relax and enjoy the harbour.

“The ARC has been absolutely consistent about the need for a decent cruise ship terminal on Queens Wharf. This is why we and the Government bought it.

“While earlier designs were disappointing, I am confident the latest design options for Queens Wharf have considerable potential to match this superb location,” said Mr Lee.

“However, as we have stated consistently, we need to look carefully at the cost and ensure what is built provides value for money in the long run.”

Auckland is expecting 60 cruise ship visits this season – including the Queen Mary II – and 71 next season. February is the busiest month. Seven cruise ships will visit Auckland this week – on three of those days two cruise ships will be in at the same time. Last week there were three cruise ships in Auckland at once.

Research done by the ARC, Government and Auckland City Council shows that on average, each cruise ship passenger spends between $200 and $300 in Auckland each day they are here.

Government research shows the cruise ship industry contributed $117 million to GDP during the 2007-2008 season.

“This research shows without question just how important the cruise ship industry is. It would be silly to allow petty politics and political campaigning to delay Auckland having a welcoming, world-class cruise ship terminal that would enable the city and country to take full advantage of growth in the industry and tourist dollars,” said Mr Lee.


It is interesting to note that a number of New Zealand ports are visited regularly by cruise ships as they make their way around our coastline. It's not just Auckland that is thinking about this stuff.

For example, the Dawn Princess and the Sun Princess both promote tours that include Sydney and Melbourne, and which visit, in New Zealand: Fiordland, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Gisborne, Tauranga, Auckland, and the Bay of Islands.

Here is how the Cruise Ship program promotes the various New Zealand ports of call in their brochure:

Day 4 Monday February 8, 2010 Fjordland National Park
Today we cruise through some of the most spectacular scenery in New Zealand as we visit Milford, Dusky and Doubtful Sounds. These spectacular fjords will be a highlight of the cruise, with spectacular scenery and fascinating wildlife. The day will be free for you to enjoy the grand views or take part in some of the many activities available aboard Sun Princess.

Day 5 Tuesday February 9, 2010 Dunedin (Port Chalmers)
We arrive in the city of Dunedin this morning. Originally founded by Scottish settlers and known as the “Edinburgh of the South”, it now consists of beautifully preserved buildings overlooking parklands. We will visit the historic Jacobean style Olveston House, containing a treasure trove of art and antiques, as we explore this attractive city.

Day 6 Wednesday February 10, 2010 Christchurch (Akaroa)
Today we call into the village of Akaroa. Originally founded by the French, it is now a delightful town, still retaining the ambience of France. We have a sightseeing tour of Christchurch with its very English feel. It is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand. The city boasts modern architecture and historic buildings set against beautiful parks, gardens, rivers and beaches. We return to Akaroa where there will be some time at leisure.

Day 7 Thursday February 11, 2010 Wellington
Today we will have a sightseeing tour of the main sights of Wellington including the Houses of Parliament known as “the Beehive”. We visit Mount Victoria, where we have 360 degree views of the city, then travel by cable car to the Botanical Gardens.

Day 8 Friday February 12, 2010 Napier
Today we visit the city of Napier. We will have a city tour, during which our local guide will provide in depth information about Art Deco style architecture of the city. We will see the National Tobacco building and many shops and houses designed in this popular 1930s style. In February 1931, an earthquake registering 7.9 on the Richter scale levelled almost all the buildings of Napier and raised the sea bed by two and a half meters.

Day 9 Saturday February 13, 2010 Tauranga
We arrive in Tauranga this morning. Tauranga has a thriving commercial and business centre and is a very busy port. Dominating the scene is the harbour and Mount Maunganui. We travel to Rotorua, a small city on the shores of Lake Rotorua, where we explore the geothermal activity of geysers, boiling mud pools and steaming craters. We will see a geyser display, where boiling water shoots many metres into the air and the blue and green lakes named for their reflective qualities.

Day 10 Sunday February 14, 2010 Auckland
Auckland is the largest city and commercial centre of New Zealand. Our morning city
tour takes in the main sights of Auckland, including the Harbour Bridge, which spans the beautiful Waitemata Harbour, Mount Eden, where we get a panoramic view of the city, the Auckland Museum and the quaint and stylish shopping area of Parnell. We will board the Sun Princess early afternoon. Be up on deck as we sail out of the gorgeous Auckland harbour at 6.00pm

Day 11 Monday February 15, 2010 Bay of Islands
Today we call into the far north of New Zealand and visit the spectacular Bay of Islands. We have a morning sightseeing tour and we visit Waitangi House, overlooking the Bay of Islands, where on February 6th, 1840, that the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed between Maori and the British Crown. The Treaty House – built for the first British Resident, James Busby and his family is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most visited historic homes. The afternoon is free....


It is interesting to read what how the industry sees each of these "destinations". What is attractive. What is the reason to visit. I hope that one day, Auckland's waterfront will rate a mention as a key attraction. And I emphasise - just having a cruise ship terminal does not a waterfront make.

BTW, I was talking to someone involved in the Christchurch/Lyttleton cruise ship terminal project: should we have a fancy cruise ship terminal - or not. Economic advice for the Port Company - assuming about 60 cruise ship visits annually - was that there was economic justification for the port company to build a $15 million cruise ship terminal. Then, if you added the economic benefit arising from the spending of cruise ship passengers in Christchurch, there was a further economic justification of an additional $10 million investment in a cruise ship terminal. This gives a total of $25 million for a cruise ship terminal - based on their economic evaluation.

And a further BTW. Here's my anecdotal experience of what cruise ship passengers do. One indicator of how they spend their money, is based on the ferry loads who go over to Devonport Wharf, and the Village. I usually get my hair cut on the Devonport Wharf. There's a Navy Haircut establishment there. Also does Blue Rinses (I don't get those. Yet.) When there's a cruise ship in, there's a queue of cruise ship women waiting for a blue rinse. The hairdresser told me the secret: "I do them for $25, but it costs them $50 on the ship...". Hardly spend-thrifts! And apparently the other indicator is the steady procession of cruise ship passengers trudging back and forward along Quay Street going to the Supermarket. Cheap wine or gin maybe? I know these are anecdotal. But these observations hardly support the assertion that cruise ship passengers each "...spend $300 a day..." when they are in Auckland.

Anyway. Friday was a good day. We didn't make a bad decision.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Two Cruise Ships Berth in Wellington Harbour



Was in Wellington on Thursday, and as the taxi drove me round Oriental Bay, I couldn't help noticing a couple of cruise ships berthed in the harbour.


Very dramatic.




This rough map shows where they were berthed. You can see the Westpac Stadium near the ships, and also some piles of containers. The Cruise ships are berthed in the main port area.

Wellington is working on a more appropriate facility a little North of here, near the Cook Strait Ferry Terminal.

The point is - and the taxi driver confirmed this - that while cruise ships do not berth in downtown Wellington, the city still benefits. Cruise ship passengers all visit and enjoy downtown Wellington, and Wellington benefits from their spending and presence, without losing waterfront amenity, through it being transformed into a Cruise Ship parking place.


These two pedestrians are enjoying Wellington's waterfront, oblivious to the fact that two cruise ships are berthed close by. (You can just make out the superstructure of the Dawn Princess, behind the pile of containers, just behind the rescue helicopter.)


And these two guys - enjoying diving off Wellington's waterfront - are also oblivious to the fact Wellington is being visited by a couple of cruise ships. Their fun is not being affected by cruise ships berthed nearby. Thought they were being photographed by cruise ship passengers visiting Wellington.

And this is the point:

Wellington's downtown waterfront is a destination for people - including the cruise ship passengers.

Wellington understands that it is critical to the success of its waterfront, that it be a people place - rather than a parking place for cars, superyachts, and cruise ships. These vehicles have their place - but it's not detracting from the amenity of the CBD waterfront.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Vos Building - Maritime Heritage at Wynyard Quarter

This blog is about heritage buildings, and the marine heritage industry at Wynyard Quarter down on Auckland's waterfront. It is about the need to take an integrated approach to Heritage Planning on that part of Auckland's waterfront. This blog tries to argue in support of the huge value to the Auckland economy of its waterfront maritime heritage and its visitor potential.

It also notes that unless Auckland's public authorities grab this opportunity, then there is a risk that the drive for new development will steamroll over this potential, and the possibility of truly worldclass mixed use waterfront regeneration project will be lost.

The blog ends with a few images from the Roskilde Waterfront development in Denmark. This exemplar is there for Auckland to learn from. I'm sure there are others.


This is a Google aerial of the Western Reclamation, aka Wynyard Quarter on Auckland's waterfront.

There are many heritage buildings and sites and structures on the land. The yellow ring marks one of them....

Here it is closer. It is the Vos Building and slipway, currently operated under lease by Sanfords. It is located on Hamer Street.

The slipways run out into the waters used for access to Westhaven Marina...

Here's a group of ARC Councillors there on Tuesday this week for a site visit. As you can see the frontage of the Vos Building today - lined in corrugated iron - does not present a very pre-possessing street frontage. Yet it conceals a number of treasures that a few Aucklanders are aware of, and believe hold a wealth of opportunities for the future...

Round the back there is plenty of obvious evidence of the bits and pieces of rusty iron-mongery that characterise a long relationship with boats and chandlery...

And it's the slipways that immediately grab your attention. There are two main slipways to the left, and in the foreground is a hard stand. You can see the basalt stonework on the floor of the hardstand in the foreground, and the narrow - and quite special - basalt rivetements that line the main slipways.

In the background you can make out the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

The two main slipways can each haul out boats up to one hundred tonnes. Sanfords use the site from time to time to service fishing boats. The facility is a little run down today - like many of the heritage opportunities on Wynyard Quarter.

Many of the pictures below were taken inside the building you can see behind the two boat trailers...

Where-ever you look there are interesting piles of marine ironworks from the past...

This is the interior of the main wood and boat carpentery workshop on the site...

It is very original, and while it is used - I understand from time to time today - it has become more of a storage shed than a very active workshop.

The machinery, floor, and furnishings breathe the history of the place...

A great deal of character....

If walls could talk...

Here's how the street frontage of the Vos Building looked during World War II, and here's the workforce outside on the occasion of the launch of its most recent creation...

...an all wood Fairmile motorboat. These are the boats that rolled off the Vos Building slipways then. It's fishing boats today. It could become a major part of the New Zealand classic boat industry, where classic wooden boats are repaired, restored and maintained. And in such a way that it becomes an important tourist and visitor destination.

Roskilde, Denmark, shows a way forward. This time around Viking Longboats, and other important vessels from Nordic history...


This image is from the walkway that runs through the Roskilde industrial waterfront. You can see a few Viking Longboat replicas tied up closeby. In the background are modern sailing boats and the local fishing fleet...


This workshop - part of the tourist circuit - is where all wooden boats are maintained and built...


This is another view of the waterfront at Roskilde.

We need to think more broadly in Auckland for the Wynyard Quarter - and for the whole of the waterfront - than just the plastic fantastic boat industry.

You can see more pictures of Roskilde at:

http://www.places4people.org.nz/roskilde.htm#line1

Monday, February 22, 2010

Queens Wharf Party Central - Still a Good Idea!


So here we have Queens Wharf, as she looks today. But as of April this year, she will be in the hands of Auckland Regional Council and Central Government.

The dust is settling after the big cruise ship option 4 was set aside by the Auckland Region's 7 mayors at the Mayoral Forum last Friday.

What to do now?


This is Option 2. As you can see this is a low cost clean up of Queens Wharf so it can serve the function as Party Central. Without doing anything permanent to any of the structures.





And this is Option 3. Slightly more expensive. But the same principle. And it appears to have the capacity of enabling a cruise ship to berth there, serving as overflow accommodation for rugby fans during the Rugby World Cup. Looks pretty good. Will not let Auckland down.

Either of these options would serve the purpose.


But there is a hiccup. There is a confusion. A reaction to Friday's mayoral decision has been that the whole Party Central idea should be canned as well. Bit like throwing the baby out with the bathwater....

Auckland will love hosting a Party Central. We did it during the America's Cup. Here's a picture of how they hosted America's Cup Party Central in Valencia: The Woolshed.

People could shelter from direct sunshine, or rain, or wind - but there was plenty of air blowing through...

This facility worked really well in Valencia. People loved it. It will work well on Queens Wharf too.

Big screens strategically placed. Some areas had seating, others a bit more casual. Needs to be good for families, for young people wanting a good time, for older people too. A people's place...


Lots of people will actually go to rugby matches (unlike the yachting where it's hard for people to get out there and watch a race - TV is better for most).

But with seat tickets going for a King's Ransom for NZ's Rugby World Cup, and with matches happening all over the country, a lot of Aucklanders will be watching TV screens, just as they watched yachting in Valencia....


And it's quite fun to do that in a big group, especially when there are fans around from other countries doing the same - in the same space.

So far, it is planned that surplus Rugby fan accommodation will be provided by a Cruise Ship moored at Queens Wharf. This will provide a critical mass of rugby fans, rights on the spot - could a be a few thousand - the Queens Wharf shed(s) could become their TV viewing room. Places where they can invite NZ guests, places where Aucklanders can go to enjoy the fun too. Because Queens Wharf will be very busy place with the comings and goings of fans and their friends and guests.


We need to get with the action on this, and use the opportunity that the Queens Wharf sheds provide. We could do a lot worse than copy the Valencia example.

Party Central on Queens Wharf is the right idea.

And it serves another very important purpose...


Have you been on Queens Wharf yet?
Have you been inside the Sheds?
Have you experienced the views?

Hardly anybody has.

Would you renovate the house you just bought before you've lived in it for a while. Not likely! Same goes for Queens Wharf. Auckland needs to live on it for a while. Auckland needs to feel what it's like to have Queens Wharf for public uses. We need to experiment. Before we do anything permament down there.



I've been lucky enough to have a walk-over. Before I did I thought we should bowl the sheds. But then I went into them....

This is the cast iron footing for one of the ceiling/1st floor supports....



And this gives an idea of the underside of the 1st floor. This picture gives no idea of size, but I reckon the joist timbers are around 50x20 cms. That's a very hefty joist.



And this picture shows a close up of the floor timbers. They look about the cross section of railway sleepers, and are coach-nailed into the joists. It was like walking on concrete. You had no idea it was a floor with a big open space below...


This long character-filled space was evocative of all the work that has gone on in there for almost a century. Apparently a lot of the work was about wool bales. Our own wool shed. Even with just a few sky-lights on a grey day the light was great...



Apparently the roof trusses, and probably quite a lot more of the original stucture, was floated out here from Britain complete. Just needed bolting together...


Party Central on Queens Wharf is a good idea. Kills lots of birds with one stone. Has many, many benefits for Auckland and for Aucklanders. Let alone the Rugby World Cup event.

Friday, February 19, 2010

The Woolshed at Valencia

There was a letter in NZ Herald the other day, about Queens Wharf, and the writer had been at Valencia for the America's Cup.

She said she couldn't understand all the fuss about the Queens Wharf sheds, because at Valencia everybody got together inside the "Woolshed".
This looks to have been a huge space with all sorts of things going on in different areas....

People could shelter from direct sunshine, or rain, or wind - but there was plenty of air blowing through...
And big screens strategically placed. Some areas had seating, others a bit more casual...
I appreciate that a lot of people will actually go to rugby matches (unlike the yachting where it's hard for people to get out there and watch a race - TV is better for most).

But with seat tickets going for a King's Ransom for NZ's Rugby World Cup, and with matches happening all over the country, a lot of Aucklanders will be watching TV screens, just as they did in Valencia....
And it's quite fun to do that in a big group, especially when there are fans around from other countries doing the same - in the same space.

So far, it is planned that surplus Rugby fan accommodation will be provided by Cruise Ships moored at Queens Wharf. Those boats will provide a critical mass of rugby fans, rights on the spot - could a be a few thousand - the Queens Wharf shed(s) could become their TV viewing room. Places where they can invite NZ guests, places where Aucklanders can go to enjoy the fun too. Because Queens Wharf will be very busy place with the comings and goings of fans and their friends and guests.
We need to get with the action on this, and use the opportunity that the Queens Wharf sheds provide. We could do a lot worse than copy the Valencia example.
Sure September 2011 runs the risk of being wet, maybe windy, so it makes a lot of sense to have the party indoors - but with the big sliding doors that can be opened in a lull, let the sunshine in, bit of fresh air....
The Queens Wharf sheds have character. They can assist Auckland to host an event with character. A memorable, international, and very sociable event.

Queen Victoria Comes to Auckland

Last Saturday, Queen Victoria made a scheduled "Port of Call" visit to Auckland, and berthed at Princes Wharf. (You can just make out the scaffolding and sheets being used while the leaky building issues are sorted out on those rooms at the end of Hotel Hilton.)
Queen Victoria looks a little smaller than Dawn Princess (pictured here at Princes Wharf last week). Queen Victoria is 90,000 tonnes gross tonnage. Length 294 metres. Beam 32.3 metres.
It appears that Princes Wharf is not standing up the strain of cruise ship visits that well. Not sure if this is because of Hilton Hotel or Apartment resident grumpiness, or if the wharf and cruise ship terminal fittings need maintenance. If so - get it done.

BTW, at least one person has asked me: why don't we allow cruise ships to berth on both sides of Princes Wharf. Make it work for its living.
You can make out Queen Victoria to the right of this picture. On Princes Wharf. Queens Wharf is right of centre - with the brown ferry building behind. The red feright ship to the left is berthed at Bledisloe Wharf. This is where Queen Mark II could be berthed safely (length and strength is good for something the size of Queen Mary II.

Woolloomooloo Wharf Shed Exemplar


Woolloomooloo has done some pretty amazing things with this wharf shed. It used to be a dilapidated wharf warehouse with a street running though it. Now it's the hip W Hotel. As the magazine "Urbis" describes this place: "...the overwhelming first impression is of a huge amount of space and a riot of bright primary colours..."

The project came into being after a group of designers had been given the daunting task of turning a century old waterfront warehouse on Finger Wharf on Sydney's waterfront, into a hip and modern hotel and apartment complex.

In fact that's what Princes Wharf is now: basically a hotel, apartments, and part of the space used for "Port of Call" facilities for cruise ship visits. Instead for Princes Wharf the decision was made to demolish most of the old buildings, and erect some new - higher ones. Seems the complex is now subject to leaky building syndrome....



It appears that the furniture chosen is modern, at odds with the ancient, industrial surrounds, the timber ceiling and corrugated iron walls.

Sounds like the structure these guys worked with here is a bit like the sheds on Queens Wharf: corrugated iron; cast iron framing; and interior timber lining....



The wharf space for the project is different than we have out on Queens Wharf. But it's important to note that this is a finger wharf - like Queens Wharf - and the buildings are almost exactly the same age and condition as the sheds on Queens Wharf.

These pictures are just here for those who think demolition is the only option for Queens Wharf. Sure there are those who say (and I've heard them), "why do we need to do what other waterfronts have done. Why do we need to copy Capetown or Sydney. Can't we do something different...."

Actually, Auckland has its own history and its own heritage (not very much left mind you), but it is ours. It needs to be treasured and celebrated. Not denigrated and demolished. If it's good enough to restore and conserve old wooden railway stations, it's even more essential that we maintain, restore and adapt our waterfront heritage buildings.

To support conservation of railways station buildings, but not waterfront maritime buildings, seems arbitrary - if not two-faced.