TV3 Cameras See Inside Queens Wharf Sheds

TV3 News Story
Row over Queen's Wharf sheds heats up 29-Apr 12:43
By Emma Brannam

(This text is from the TV3 News Story. You can see a link and see the video clip, and inside the sheds, at the end of this...)

The row over two cargo sheds on Auckland's Queen's Wharf is escalating with the Auckland City Council backing heritage supporters who want to protect them. Last week the Government and the Auckland Regional Council revealed plans to demolish the sheds – making way for the Rugby World Cup's ‘party central’.

There are only two sheds remaining on Queen’s Wharf – rundown and unloved on a stretch of windswept, empty waterfront. Its owners, the Government and Auckland Regional Council, want to demolish them to make way for a Rugby World Cup temporary party venue.

The response: "It's an arrogant disregard for our industrial heritage," says Mayor John Banks.
The Auckland mayor has issued an 11th hour plea to save the sheds and is recommitting $26 million to help keep them.
"In Auckland, we've turned so much of our heritage into firewood and we've replaced it with crass third world development," he says. He's even pulled out an old plan for Queen’s Wharf which would see the eastern shed rejuvenated.

The ARC says it’s an election stunt.

But there's more to this stoush then politics – many believe the buildings are of real historical importance.

“There’s been a lot of associations with the wharf – this was once Queen's Street Wharf; it was the main point of entry and exit for people into Auckland,” says Antony Matthews, a heritage campaigner.

“They’re strong, they’re well built, if we’re not careful our grandchildren won’t see these materials – ever,” says Adam Mercer of the Auckland Architect Association.
These buildings are pretty ugly – but it’s what is on the inside that could be important, especially shed 10.

The Save Queen's Wharf campaign has gone online – a Facebook page and a petition.

There's even a dissenter in Auckland Regional Council’s ranks.
“If these wharfs were owned privately, the sheds would be protected like there’s no tomorrow,” says Joel Cayford of the ARC.
“Just because they are owned publicly, and because some people want a cruise ship terminal, that’s why they’re up for demolition.”

The ARC chairman declined to be interviewed but in a written statement told 3 News that it's working with the historic places trust on retaining as much of the wharf's heritage elements and its sheds as possible. But if it sticks to its current plans, the sheds will be bowled, in the centenary year of their construction.

Here's the TV3 News Story link:
http://www.3news.co.nz/Row-over-Queens-Wharf-sheds-heats-up/tabid/309/articleID/153384/Default.aspx