Council rides roughshod over good process
Vibrant Wellington is alarmed that the Wellington City Council decided against notifying CentrePort’s consent
application for new office accommodation for the Bank of New Zealand, at the proposed Harbour Quays office park.
Vibrant Wellington spokesman Brent Slater said it was clear a number of people would be affected by the proposed office
park on surplus CentrePort land north of the Wellington cbd.
“The proposed BNZ building at Harbour Quays is around five times larger than the four-storey Meridian office block, near
Shed 11 on the waterfront, which was notified.
“The proposed Hilton Hotel on the outer T, at Queens Wharf, was also notified.
“It is inconceivable that the Wellington City Council has decided against publicly notifying the consent application for
the BNZ, particularly given the number of questions that have been raised about the implications of CentrePort’s office
park plans,” Mr Slater said.
Vibrant Wellington was set up to urge a rethink of the Harbour Quays proposal because of the impact it would have on the
heart of Wellington. Tenants so far attracted to Harbour Quays have quit office space in the cbd, and others are now
being enticed to follow suit.
The campaign is being supported by concerned citizens, retailers and other business owners who believe the Harbour Quays
development will damage inner Wellington’s unique and vibrant character.
“Because of the Council’s decision to ride roughshod over good process, Vibrant Wellington is being denied the
opportunity of putting its case to an independent party, and of making a valuable contribution to the design of the
northern gateway to the city.
“We are now taking legal advice on the merits of a applying for a judicial review of the Council’s decision to avoid
notification, with a view to having that decision quashed.
“We know there are many people in Wellington with misgivings about the Harbour Quays proposal. Vibrant Wellington urges
them, and groups such as the Civic Trust and Waterfront Watch, to take their concerns to the Council.
“Vibrant Wellington is aware of CentrePort’s plans for another nine such office buildings in addition to the existing
Statistics building and the proposed BNZ office block.
“We are proposing that the surplus CentrePort land be earmarked for mixed use, including residential and high-end
retail, and civic facilities such as the presently mooted indoor sports complex.
“This would be a more logical way to use the surplus land opposite the concourse running from the railway station to
Westpac Stadium,” Mr Slater said.