Infratil tables $200m event centre plan

Infratil has proposed an international convention and exhibition centre for a site near Auckland's waterfront. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

Infratil Infrastructure Property has given the Government a $200 million-plus proposal for an international convention and exhibition centre for a site near Auckland's waterfront.

In a bid which some property experts say is the best yet, the business has planned for hotels, offices and shops to be built around the edge of its buildings and on nearby sites.

But the decision on the best site could be about two months away, as a group of landowners vie to be picked.

The Ministry of Economic Development has called for expressions of interest in creating a centre to seat thousands of people, saying New Zealand is missing out on big events because it lacks a big enough venue.

Infratil's flat Lighter Quay/Wynyard Quarter site is now used as its CBD depot for servicing, cleaning, maintaining and parking Link and Metrolink buses.

The business has a perpetual lease to Viaduct Harbour Holdings, reviewed every 21 years, on two titles within one 1.8ha slice of land bounded by Halsey St, Gaunt St, Daldy St and Pakenham St. Next to that is Auckland City's 1.7ha holding. Infratil has held discussions with the city so that a 3.5ha site can be formed.

Infratil's development general manager, Andrew Lamb, said yesterday his company had submitted an application to the ministry for the site opposite The Westin Auckland Lighter Quay.

The plan follows convention centre proposals from ASB Showgrounds at Greenlane, Ngati Whatua at Quay Park, SkyCity on Hobson St - but connecting with its convention centre - and two hotels and The Edge alongside Aotea Centre.

Mr Lamb said Infratil's site could be developed within four years and was by far the best, being the only one with direct access to the water across Halsey St so red-carpet events could be staged from boats into a proposed 3500-seat auditorium.

The level site in the growing western precinct was near hotels and was a "blank canvas", unconstrained by existing facilities or structures.

Proximity and access to the water and public open areas around Viaduct Harbour, Lighter Quay and Wynyard Quarter were advantages, as was as accessibility to motorways and Fanshawe St, he said.

"We strongly believe Auckland is the ideal city for an international-standard convention centre and the Wynyard Quarter is the best location."

The site was undergoing extensive redevelopment, transforming the area from a largely port-related industrial area into a mixed-use multi-purpose urban village, he added.

The new Marine Event Centre is rising near the site which is on a proposed new tram route.

Architects Warren and Mahoney worked on the proposal, and Mr Lamb said two large three-star hotels could be built nearby to compliment the more luxurious Hilton and Westin hotels in the area.

Contenders

International convention/exhibition centre bidders:

* ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane.

* Ngati Whatua's Quay Park railway site.

* SkyCity's 101 Hobson St, behind TVNZ.

* The Edge project alongside Aotea Centre.

* Infratil/Auckland City's 3.5ha waterfront site.