This is the Holcim Cement storage silo that's currently under construction on Timaru's waterfront. As I drove into Timaru on State Highway 1 I became aware of this massive presence on the skyline. Wondered what it was. Drove down, and there it is. Nine or Ten stories high - and as I understand it - a similar one has been consented (non-notified of course) on Auckland's waterfront, and will be constructed under contract to Ports of Auckland Ltd. At least in Timaru the location is separated from urban Timaru by quite a bit of transport infrastructure, and the housing that directly views the structure, is built atop a cliff about six stories high (next to the railway line).
The same is not true in Auckland. POAL's Holcim Silo will be directly in front of the Quay Park buildings. It is a massive mono structure.
In Timaru, seems like no-one really knew what it was going to be like. Then suddenly it was up, and everyone took a deep breath. Many were shocked.
There are significant visual effects associated with a mono structure of this scale. It is at odds with the fine grain architecture of the heritage buildings along Quay Street. And even the articulation of Quay Towers will be swamped. Maybe it's a future mural site for Auckland imagery for visiting cruise ships.
If it was felt an expansion of Bledisloe wharf would affect views and waterfront amenity - look twice at this proposal which has been consented. POAL's strategy of rationalising Onehunga operations to downtown Auckland is problematic. This is not a good look for the Auckland waterfront.
3 comments:
re: Holcim Silo
Joel, I am obviously seriously out of touch here: how is it that something which is currently 'not' an activity within Auckland's Port property (ie the storage/handling/transportation of bulk cement), and that requires such an enormous single piece of 'obstructive' infrastructure, is actually NOT be required to be consented?
This is clearly not an expansion/modification or adjustment to an existing facility or architecture (there is plausibly, some considerable distance from the 'existing' concrete silo at Onehunga wharves)....it's incomprehensible that this undeniably visual blight (this time from the street and also, private dwellings overlooking the port) is not required to undergo the notifiable consenting process for public information and response/input - the residents alone, are being denied 'natural justice' in seeking to be able to protect their views and realty investment.
This statement is from Holcim's current 'Code of Business Conduct'
(http://www.holcim.com/fileadmin/templates/CORP/doc/About_us/Code_of__Business_Conduct.pdf)
"3.3 Community engagement
Holcim strives to be a trusted corporate citizen and to fulfill its
responsibilities to the communities in which it operates.
We seek to do this by contributing through investment
and engagement, and building relationships based on
mutual respect and trust with all our stakeholders in
these communities.
We demonstrate respect for people and the planet and
ask all our employees to consider the short and long-term
impacts on the community and the environment when
they make business decisions..."
Well, perhaps - and perhaps not.
That is absolutely shocking and if the same structure appears in Auckland this will likely be counter productive for the Port of Auckland longer term (business wise) as the now sensitive public with a high court decision in their favour will have a daily reminder to support their desire to see the the timely withdrawal of Port activity from downtown.
Regarding the no consent matter I can only assume that the Port designation is sufficiently wide ranging to enable the Port to store anything non noxious or toxic that comes off a ship?
Holcim capital projects manager Ken Cowie told Stuff.co.nz, when speaking about the Timaru silo, Timaru's Holcim depot would also be serviced by a ship, whereas Auckland would only be serviced by trucks. So why does it have to be on the waterfront on Port land? It's just going to generate truck traffic - in and out.
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