Auckland: City Centre and Waterfront need to deliver

A vibrant and attractive city centre and waterfront will be an important part of the transformation of Auckland, according to Auckland Mayor Len Brown.

The comment follows the launch of two guiding documents that signal a proposed transformation in central Auckland, the City Centre Masterplan and the Waterfront Plan, Mayor Brown stated "a thriving city centre is the beating heart of Auckland and when it performs well it sends the lifeblood pumping to every part of this great region.

"Our plans for the future of downtown Auckland are achievable over the duration of the plan and include projects that will show Auckland to be a world leader in urban and sea-edge design, promote the city centre as the location of choice for national and South Pacific head offices and drive more business and tourism investment."

The City Centre Masterplan includes projects that will continue the momentum of shared and green spaces, such as developing Quay Street as a family-friendly waterfront boulevard and creating a new east-west green link connecting Albert Park with Victoria Park and Wynyard Quarter.

The Waterfront Plan sets out the vision and goals for the waterfront and a range of short, medium and long-term initiatives that include a 20 kilomometre promenade and cycleway along the edge of the waterfront, an innovation precinct at Wynyard Quarter, a 4.5 hectare park on Wynyard Point, and a light rail system from the Wynyard Quarter to St Heliers.

Auckland Council's Design Champion, Ludo Campbell-Reid adds "we know Aucklanders understand the importance of building a world-class city centre.

"It will attract internationally competitive businesses, jobs and opportunities for the whole region."

"We're working towards creating the world's most liveable city and to do that we need to make its heart more family-friendly, pedestrian-friendly and environmentally-friendly. The City Centre Masterplan and Waterfront Plans provide the blueprint for achieving this."

Mayor Brown concludes "as Aucklanders we face trying times - budgets are tight and jobs are hard to come by - but it's times like these that people also need some vision. These plans are about creating the most liveable city by doing more with less."

The City Centre Masterplan and Waterfront Plan is now available from all Auckland Council service centres and libraries and online at www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

8th February 2011 - WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT TO BOOST AUCKLAND