As long as there has been a Supercity there has been construction in its heart and now Panuku wants ratepayers, from the whole Auckland Region, to pay for another 10 years of disruption.
Hidden within the 750 page ‘Long Term Plan’ (Council’s 10 year budget) was $53M for the ‘Downtown West’ project to demolish the Lower Hobson Street flyover, Fanshaw Street to the Downtown Carpark flyover connection, and reconfiguring the roads to get traffic from the lower level of Sturdee Street (by the Tepid Baths) to the high road, that the flyover achieved so eloquently.
This excludes securing funding for this $30M 3000m² development of highly valuable land (once the flyover is gone) without ‘City Centre Targeted Rate’ allocation.
The scheme is supported by the ‘Centre City Advisor Panel’ with richlister Scott Pritchard (Precinct Properties) as the 'independent chair'. This conflict of interest has been reported to the Ombudsman along with less than two working days' notice of this topic in WLB’s public meeting, therefore breaching the Local Government Act.
Not represented on the panel are regional ratepayers who fund these projects. Nor are they going to enjoy the developments after 20 years of construction. Many Aucklanders won’t come into the CBD (Central Business District). We should be welcoming people into the ‘Civic Centre’ with pride, to enjoy all the civic amenities they have bankrolled, instead of charging an entry fee.
The since disgraced city designer Ludo Campbell Reid, who previous mayors gave free reign, wanted to turn this area into a series of ‘laneways’. If anyone has been to Melbourne, where he is now, you’ll know that their laneways are more reminiscent of Durham Lane, High Street and Vulcan Lane, not the large open space that would be left once the flyover is removed.
This redevelopment is part of Ludo’s ‘Centre City Masterplan’, purported to bring Auckland inline with other international cities. Instead, it’s based on the ludicrous ‘urbanists’ anti-car ideals that destroy free movement around the city. Components include a ‘Linear Park’ to replace Victoria Street, splitting the city in two; narrowing Queen Street, including closing it between Wellesley and Wyndham Streets (Auckland Transport’s lucrative fine trap); and expensive sea edge development connecting Wynyard Quarter and the Viaduct with Commercial Bay and Britomart to be called, 'Harbour Edge Stitch' and narrowing Quay Street.
The sale of the Downtown Carpark to Precinct Properties, who owns Commercial Bay, was conditional on demolition of the flyovers, but was not a condition of the other offer worth $133M more, retained 1200 public carparks, and built on top of the existing building (just like Durham Street Carpark with 10-storey apartments built on top). ‘Save Queen Street vs Auckland Council and Precinct Properties’ Judicial Review on the sale before the High Court in August, was assured all further work on that area was to be on hold until the outcome of the Hearing.
Supposedly, “this precinct is envisioned as a hub for a new human-centric environment, prioritising pedestrian and public transport outcomes for the city. This aligns with the city centre’s transport vision, ‘Access for Everyone’ (A4E) and the transport emissions reduction plan.” Creating a “thriving commercial, retail and residential hub, which will reportedly accommodate over 7000 people.” The jargon used to push these ideas is unconvincing, gaslighting and propaganda. By ‘everyone’ they mean just for ‘micro-mobility’ (bikes and scooters), and when buses and pedestrians are added, it’s called ‘multi-modal’. But ‘everyone’ doesn’t prioritise cars, freight or commuters and little consideration is given to emergency vehicles or mobility impaired (a ¼ of the population) especially disabled parking.
In addition to the 5500 double truckloads required to demolish 99,000 tonnes concrete in the Downtown Carpark, there would be at least another 1500 double truckloads to demolish these two flyovers. So both projects are not exactly environmentally friendly and climate conscious.
Why are we continuing to enable this?
I agree with Mike Lee,“The City Centre Masterplan is treated as a Holy Writ. It is important to remember that this is not a statutory document. In terms of its legitimacy, unlike the first version back in 2012, the present version was 'refreshed' behind closed doors with the public excluded. It is enormously expensive (lucrative for private contractors – not so great for ratepayers). In my opinion, elements of the City Centre Masterplan are extremely destructive to the viability and fabric of the inner city.”
We need to claim back our autonomy and our city. We’ve paid for lots of changes, now we need to clear out the orange road cones and enjoy the construction development. Let's just take a breath. Time to re-consult on the City Centre Masterplan, or just ditch it (and CCO Panuku). (Gael Baldock)
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Published: April 2024