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.
1 comment:
An interesting blog..Reflections on Auckland Planning...Great job!!
Sydney Harbour Charter
Post a Comment