Submissions F: Waterfront Plan

Cruise on Queens Because of the anticipated volume of cruise ship visits to Auckland there is an obvious attraction in using Queens Wharf out to the medium term to support that industry. However I believe it is essential that authorities recognise that Auckland is poorly served in terms of waterfront public space/capita. This was evidenced by the crowding that occurred on Auckland’s waterfront (despite the availalability of Quay Street, QE Elizabeth Square, Queens Wharf, Captain Cook Wharf, Princes Wharf, Te Whero, and Wynyard Quarter) during RWC festivities with quite modest crowds. It is critical that any utilisation of Queens Wharf and Shed 10 is subject to stringent controls which protect public access to Queens Wharf and public amenity on Queens Wharf. Authorities must not give in to demands from cruise ship operators for “Rolls Royce” terminal provision. For example, I am advised that recent cruise ship visits using the Princes Wharf facilities have rated well with cruise ship passengers. The Cruise industry have made those facilities work well - despite their complaints and lobbying of public officials for more central city crusie ship parking. Cruise ship visits to Queens Wharf during the Rugby World Cup also worked passably well – despite not having access to Shed 10 – and little space on Queens Wharf itself. Auckland will only be in the black economically from cruise ship visits if public investment is tightly constrained. Whereas Central Auckland benefitted significantly from the 1,000,000 visitors to Queens Wharf during RWC. The majority of these were locals. Their contribution to Central Auckland’s visitor economy is often ignored by those who persist in talking up the contribution from the much smaller number of cruise ship visitors. The obvious answer to this conundrum is to provide for both sets of visitors, and both economic contributions. But this will require a much more balanced approach to the planning of Queens Wharf than has been evidenced to date. It will require the depth of planning that has been associated with Wynyard Quarter.

Submission 6: A Plan Change to the Regional Plan Coastal relating to proposed uses on Queens Wharf be publicly notified to ensure the owners and operators of Queens Wharf are in compliance with the RMA.

Submission 7: That the Agreement relating to Queens Wharf with Ports of Auckland Ltd be re-visited to establish conditions to constrain non-public uses of Queens Wharf and Shed 10 (by the cruise ship industry for example). These conditions: should restrict the area of Queens Wharf that can be used for non-public activities; should expressly establish a five year lease for such activties – such leases being renewable subject to Council approval – thereby sending the message that non-public uses of Queens Wharf are of a temporary basis; should contain a maximum number of days and preferably a specific set of dates when Queens Wharf facilities can be used for cruise ship visits (to ensure there are opportunities and to provide the certainty needed for planning of other activities and events on Queens Wharf).