Wellington Waterfront Watch

The website for Wellington Waterfront Watch is minimal....
  
Vision: A waterfront with plenty of open spaces and panoramic views.

"....We are committed to preserving this resource for the people of Wellington and whilst we will support appropriate development that enhances public spaces and usage, we will question any excessive development that seeks to privatise and restrict public access, remove views and viewshafts, downgrades our heritage or introduces excess shading or wind issues...."

And a little bit history:  "In 1995, the area that is now Waitangi Park was part of the infamous "Variation 17" proposals by Wellington City Council which threatened high-rise apartment blocks over the area, and all along the rest of the waterfront. Not surprisingly, the people of Wellington were in an uproar and thus Waterfront Watch was formed under the astute leadership of Lindsay Shelton and Helen Glasgow."

The policy adopted by Wellington Waterfront Watch takes up just one page:

• The Wellington waterfront should be a place of public open space for people and their children, now and for the future. It should be a natural environment where everyone can gain refreshment and relief from traffic, pollution, and the noise of streets and buildings.
• There should be at least a 20-metre walkway along the entire waterfront, free of vehicular traffic and there should be easy walking connections to the water from the city.
• At least 75 per cent of the waterfront should be retained as freely usable public space open to the sky, such as parks, walkways and squares, free of motor vehicular traffic.
• There should be comfortable places to linger - benches, ledges, seats and sheltered corners.
• There should be a defined cycle track, and space dedicated for skateboarding, separate from the walkways.
• There should be two major green open parks - Frank Kitts Park and Chaffers Park. Chaffers should have only low rise buildings for public, cultural or recreational purposes associated with the park.
• Views from the harbour to the hills and from the streets to the harbour should be preserved.
• There should be sunlight protection over the entire waterfront.
• All remaining heritage buildings should be restored and brought into use before any new buildings are permitted. The historic iron railings should be brought back into use.
• Any new development should be no higher than sheds 11 and 13 (i.e. 15m above sea level).
• Any new buildings should incorporate architectural excellence and should be in sympathy with their surroundings.
• All land should remain in public ownership.
• There should be public consultation on any future waterfront development and any new developments or buildings should require prior public notification.

Given the evident public success of Wellington's waterfront, maybe this is something that Auckland could think about.