KEY POINTS:
Mayor John Banks is opposed to a multimillion-dollar makeover of Mt Eden (Maungawhau) and wants to retain vehicle access to the summit of the popular tourist attraction.
Mr Banks said yesterday that the intention to protect the volcanic cone was honourable but the $10 million to $12 million
cost of the upgrade was prohibitive at this time.
"I have an overarching view of life in Auckland City Council that is if it isn't broken don't try and fix it.
"I'm not sure if Maungawhau is broke," he said.
His comments coincided with the start of public consultation on upgrading the natural feature.
Plans include a new visitor centre at Tahaki Reserve costing $6.8 million to $8.7 million and $1.25 million a year to run.
Vehicles would be banned from the summit and replaced with lightweight electric vehicles costing about $3 million, plus $1 million a year to run. Improvements would be made to the summit area.
The upgrade was a pet project of former Mayor Dick Hubbard that became plagued by cost increases and spending on consultants.
What began as a $3 million to $5 million project blew out to more than $10 million after consultants were brought in.
The council had paid more than $270,000 to consultants providing advice on the project up until July.
"I think this is one of the dream projects from the legacy of the last council that had an open chequebook and were reckless," Mr Banks said.
"Given our financial constraints and our commitment to affordable progress, this is one of those projects that is not only symbolic but I think needs to be substantially dialled back."
The mayor said Maungawhau needed protecting but he did not support the new visitor centre or electric vehicles and would be disappointed if the summit could not take vehicle access.
Arts, community and recreation policy group manager Ruth Stokes said the public consultation was the first step in implementing the Maungawhau-Mt Eden management plan.
It aimed to cater for visitors while protecting the cone.
She said the impact of vehicles was taking its toll and action was needed to limit the damage they caused.
"We see a lightweight electric vehicle as being a clean, effective and efficient way to address these issues, but we want to know what people think about this idea."
Ms Stokes said the aim of the visitor centre was to give the public a greater understanding of the cultural and social history of the volcanic cones and pa sites of Auckland.
The council, which plans to collect about $3.5 million this year from a targeted rate for volcanic cones and open spaces, has yet to set aside money for the makeover.
Paul Yeo, chief executive of the Inbound Tour Operators Council, said access should be maintained to the summit for cars and buses.
"Without that access we think a large number of visitors, whether they be from overseas or New Zealanders, would be denied the opportunity to get up there.
"Any alternative, such as light rail or anything else, wouldn't be a cost-effective way forward," Mr Yeo said.
The summit of Maungawhau has panoramic views of Auckland city.
It attracts more than 1.2 million visitors a year, 800,000 of whom reach the area by bus.
