Wynyard Point Waterfront Plan
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This page is dedicated to Wynyard Point, Auckland. Public notification of the plan change relating to the Waterfront development at Wynyard Point happened - 8/7/7 - 8th July 2007. Auckland has a poor track record with past waterfront development. Urban design is partly to blame for these outcomes, but many believe the major reason is the dominance of private interests over public benefit in the political decisions taken at the start of these projects. Auckland authorities have a poor track-record of adequately protecting and providing public amenity at Auckland’s waterfront. The Wynyard Point development is currently planned to "optimise revenues" while delivering a "world class waterfront development". The pictures below tell the story...

Submissions: Here is the 19-6-2008 submission Joel Cayford made to Auckland City's Plan Change 4 hearing on behalf of the Classic Yacht Association of NZ, plus his presentation images, and here is his 31-7-2008 submission to the ARC's Plan Change 3 hearing for Wynyard Wharf & Wynyard Quarter, as expert evidence for the C.Y.A., plus the presentation images that go with it.

Wynyard Point, Auckland. As it is today - pre-development.

Above: panoramic view of Auckland CBD (mid-frame) with the Wynyard Point reclamation - sometimes known as Tank Farm - extending across the bottom of the frame. The yellow line encompasses the land that is publicly owned by Auckland Regional Council (through its subsidiary Auckland Regional Holdings) and Auckland City Council. North Wharf is where the fishing fleet is presently based - the northern end of this wharf is where a Waiheke Island car ferry operates (visible above). Wynyard Wharf is currently used by ships carrying bulk liquids to and from those storage tanks remaining in operation. Part of the northern edge of the Wynyard reclamation is currently used by the marine industry. This image has been digitally enhanced by Auckland City Council to produce the next image, below.



Wynyard Point, Auckland. With artist impression of proposed development, labels added by Places4People.

This digitally enhanced picture shows what would be permitted in the way of development on the Wynyard Point reclamation, under the proposed change to Auckland's District Plan which has just been notified. The main features of the proposed development framework are labelled in the picture (labels added by Places4People). Permitted building heights are calculated above street level. The triangular pond is proposed as a stormwater pond - crossed by Beaumont Street in its mid-section, and by a walkway across its northern end.



Wynyard Point, Auckland. With artist impression of proposed development, indicative areas added by Places4People.

This image draws attention to concerns held by Place4People with the plan change and development proposals for Wynyard Point. A principle concern is with the overall height of development right across the area. The proposed heights are required to create sufficient Gross Floor Area - be it residential or commercial property - and generate approx $30 million revenue annually for ARH from rents, leases and licences when development is complete. Other principle concerns include how the available public space is actually used (this is partly an urban design issue), and who the public parts of the waterfront development are designed to attract. What will make it a destination for Aucklanders and tourists?
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Think of the best waterfronts you have visited. What did you love about them. Imagine a signpost as you walk across Te Wero Bridge to TankFarm, with direction signs pointing to places to visit and enjoy... Question: What is written on those signs?

Read Joel Cayford's NZ Herald Opinion Piece, and his preliminary views about the current proposals.

Read ARC Councillor Sandra Coney's NZ Herald Opinion Piece published last year.

See also herald opinion by Dushko Bogunovich who is an associate professor of urban design at Unitec.

Read Owen McShane's unpublished NZ Herald Opinion Piece written last year. And see the Stockholm steps he wrote about.

 

 TankFarm sign question.


This is the proposed Daldy Street tree lined boulevard. Basically a long park between a canyon of tall buildings. This additional public space would be better used to widen waterside promenades which are far too narrow. Click to see ideal width at Malmo, Sweden. The Marine Industry area is intended to be made more accessible for public interest. However present designs suggest the marine industry will keep people out. The Roskilde example pictured elsewhere on this website shows what is possible - and how cafes can be mixed in safely with marine industry activities. Click to see. This is where the fishing fleet moors and is a working harbour edge - though the boats have been air-brushed out! The character net shed is close to the edge - heavily used. The Waiheke Car ferry also uses this edge. Proposed development intensity threatens to crowd out the fishing industry through reverse sensitivity. This cannot be allowed to happen. Click to see what it looks like now. This public water edge promenade runs the risk of being dominated and overlooked by buildings that are too high and too close to the water. Ideal ratio is promenade width at least twice the height of overlooking buildings. Recreational access to the water is an obvious opportunity. Click to see ideal width & opportunities exemplified at Malmo, Sweden. The 4 hectare headland park has an emotional appeal, but will be windswept and exposed (like Bayswater marina reclamation). This headland park public space would be better used if it was integrated with a feature public facility, wider promenades and several pocket parks at the water edge, and associated with appropriate height buildings which provide wind and weather shelter. The proposed stormwater pond could form a spectacular haven for selected heritage craft from Auckland's maritime history - in much the same way as the cities of London & Stockholm have lined their waterfronts with boats and ships of all sizes. This pond could be lined with pontoons, accessed by bridges, with moored boats, some acting as restaurants, others as museums. Providing a heritage marine focus, and more opportunity for restored craft to be on display. Alternatively - this area could be developed as a saltwater recreation facility - kayaks, swimming, jumping and displaying.

Joel Cayford owns copyright on all graphics & html on this website.
Joel Cayford email: mailto:joelc@kiwilink.co.nz