Ideas for Tank Farm flood in

Auckland City Council has received more than 650 submissions on how people think the future development of the Tank Farm should go - to the delight of Mayor Dick Hubbard.

He said yesterday this response to the informal public consultation exceeded expectations and reflected the value of the waterfront to people throughout the region.

"What pleased me was the sense of passion coming through and the positive feeling they want the waterfront to be absolutely magnificent.

"I'm not getting anybody saying we would be spending too much or to cut back on works or to just leave the area alone."

Mr Hubbard said that while today was the official closing day for submissions he expected a late rush on Monday and these would be considered.

He also expected council officers to take into account the thousands of views received by the Heart of the City and the Herald.

Mr Hubbard said the biggest concern he had picked up from people was the extent of accommodation on Wynyard Wharf and limits on public access to the end of thestructure.

Heart of the City spokesman Greg McKeown said 2500 responses to its website questionnaire confirmed strong opposition to building apartments on Wynyard Pt.

He said of 16,500 returns processed, 92 per cent disagreed with building apartments there.

About 94 per cent of them favoured no apartments, a larger park, and having the option of more public activities and/or a public building.

The group which represents 5000 retailers and businesses wants a big park, with wide waterfront views, instead of the council plans for hundreds of apartments.

It also wants the Queens and Captain Cook wharves developed in conjunction with the Tank Farm and says most of the feedback favours this happening far sooner than Ports of Auckland plans.

Mr Hubbard said the public feedback would help shape the waterfront, "transforming it into a golden link to our sparkling harbour".

Information from the canvassing will be used in preparing a District Plan change for the 35ha area to be notified on May 31. The plan change will seek to rezone the area from marine industrial activities to a combination of marine, commercial, residential and open space use.

Once the plan change is notified and goes through the Resource Management Act process, the public will have further chances to comment.

ABOUT THE TANK FARM

1. About two thirds of the 35ha Tank Farm belongs to the people of Auckland, including the headland jutting out into the Waitemata Harbour. The rest is privately owned.

2. The dozens of tanks sit on contaminated dockland that will become available for development as leases run out between 2009 and 2025.

3. A huge number of organisations have a say in the land's future - Ports of Auckland, Auckland City Council, Auckland Regional Holdings, Auckland Regional Council, Auckland Regional Transport Authority, Transit New Zealand, Americas Cup Village Ltd, Viaduct Harbour Holdings. A single planning and development authority to take control of the whole project is nowhere in sight.

4. Auckland City Council is getting the ball rolling by rezoning the land from marine industrial to a combination of marine, commercial, residential and open space. The plan change is notified on May 31.

5. A concept plan by the council envisages 3500 apartments - some 16 storeys high - a 3-4ha park at the end of the headland, 2.7km of public walkways, 8ha for the marine industry and a marine events centre at the western viaduct.

6. Ports of Auckland, which owns the land, has its own plans for more apartments, less public space on the headland and a smaller area for the marine industry. A revised plan will be made public next month.

7. Heart of the City business group is running a campaign opposing apartments on the headland. (see link below).

8. The final cost of the Tank Farm development is anywhere between $2 billion and $7 billion, mostly funded by the private sector. The public will pay up to $400 million for parks, transport and cleaning up the toxic waste.

9. Measures will be taken to keep cars out of the Tank Farm. Public transport, walking and cycling will be the main forms of transport.

10. The marine and fishing industries are relatively comfortable with council plans to stay at the Tank Farm. The bulk-liquid industry accepts the inevitable of moving but is unhappy about the process, timetable and alternative sites.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Over the past fortnight the Herald has asked for your views on what could be the biggest waterfront development in Auckland's history.

Your response on one issue was overwhelming - no apartments on the headland.

Today is the last day for submissions on the council's rezoning planfor the Tank Farm. To have your say visit the Auckland City Council website (see link below).