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Auckland: City Centre and Waterfront need to deliver

Published: Mon 13 Aug 2012 12:48 PM
13 August 2012
City Centre and Waterfront need to deliver
The importance of a vibrant and attractive city centre and waterfront should not be underestimated and plays a large part in the transformation of Auckland.
“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,” says the Mayor.
The comment follows today’s official launch of two guiding documents that signal a proposed transformation in central Auckland, the City Centre Masterplan and the Waterfront Plan.
“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 20km 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.
“We know Aucklanders understand the importance of building a world-class city centre,” says Auckland Council’s Design Champion, Ludo Campbell-Reid. “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.”
Waterfront Auckland Chief Executive John Dalzell says, “It’s been proven internationally that uniting people, business, history, culture and trade all into one prime city space creates optimal potential for growth. Projects like the redevelopment of Wynyard Quarter are a reminder of how successful this can be.”
“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,” says Len Brown.
The City Centre Masterplan and Waterfront Plan will be available from all Auckland Council service centres and libraries from Monday, 13 August and online at http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz and www.waterfrontauckland.co.nz.
ENDS

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