Save Our Square

Interesting what you find when you google Queen Elizabeth Square. This postcard image forms part of the extensive evidence that has been filed with the Environment Court in the lead up to a 5 day hearing scheduled to start on the 18th of July. (It's contained in Graeme McIndoe's evidence for Precinct Properties.)

Earlier this year, the Auckland Architectural Association (AAA) appealed private plan change 79 which seeks to change the public open space zoning over a portion of Queen Elizabeth Square so that it can be developed by Precinct Properties as part of its proposals to redevelop other parts of the downtown block. The AAA also objected to Auckland Transport proposals to "stop" that part of Queen Elizabeth Square from being "road" - a planning status the land has held since it was vested as a public square in the 1960's in exchange for the stopping of Little Queen Street and the downtown section of Sturdee Street. This objection is being considered by the Environment Court at the same time as the AAA appeal to the plan change decision.

Four other incorporated societies have joined the action in support of AAA. These are:

• Urban Auckland Inc / The Society for the Protection of Auckland City and Waterfront
• Civic Trust Auckland Inc
• Walk Auckland Inc
• Auckland CBD Residents' Advisory Group Inc

Statements of evidence filed with the court for Precinct Properties (Senior Counsel Derek Nolan) have been prepared by:

• George Crawford;
• Andrew Buckingham;
• Doug Faigray
• Blair Johnston;
• Roger Nelson;
• Chris McDonald;
• Adina Brown;
• Neil Jamieson;
• Tim Wedmaier; 
• Rachel de Lambert;
• Graeme McIndoe; 
• Karl Cook.

Statements of evidence filed with the court for Auckland Council and Auckland Transport (Senior Counsel Paddy McNamara) have been prepared by:

• Timothy Watts 
• Clive Fuhr
• Gregory Milner-White
• Daniel Newcombe 
• Simon Lough
• Jason Evans 
• John Fellows
• Ralph Webster
• Garth Falconer
• Mark Vinall

On Friday 10th June and Monday 13th June statements of evidence filed with the court for Auckland Architectural Associations (Senior Counsel Brianna Parkinson) have been prepared by:

• Graeme Scott
• David Gibbs
• Bridget Gilbert
• Jeremy Salmond
• Brian Putt
• David Serjeant

This is a very important public interest matter. My role has been as coordinator and also as fund-raiser.
Your financial support and sponsorship of this action would be valued and appreciated.
Please contact me to assist.