Open space is key issue for Tank Farm

Source: Auckland City, NZIA. Herald graphic

A park covering most of the headland at the Tank Farm will capture public imagination and provide space for a future iconic building, according to the Institute of Architects' urban issues group.

The institute has backed many of the urban design concepts for the waterfront development but has joined the growing chorus for more land to be set aside for public space.

One idea the institute has suggested is a 40m-wide boulevard running down the middle of the Tank Farm on Daldy St, linking Victoria Park to the "Northern Park" on the headland.

Urban issues group chairman Graeme Scott said the boulevard would create a proper tree-lined, linear park twice the width of a normal road.

Pressure is mounting on political leaders, planners and Ports of Auckland, which owns the headland jutting out into the Waitemata Harbour, for more open space and fewer apartments.

Auckland City Council has proposed a long, narrow park on the eastern side the headland covering about 4ha, leaving the northern end of the western side free for apartments with prime views of Westhaven Marina and the harbour bridge.

The Auckland Regional Council wants a similar-sized park on the end of the headland with uninterrupted views of the north, east and west.

Ports of Auckland is making "significant changes" to a plan released last year, which was dominated by apartments and included a 1.3ha park on the headland.

Auckland City Mayor Dick Hubbard last week said the loud and clear message was for more open space on the headland but indicated the "trade-off" could be more intensive development elsewhere on the 35ha Tank Farm.

The council has already proposed building apartments of 10 to 16 storeys along Daldy St south of Jellicoe St and apartment buildings of four to six storeys on the headland.

Mr Scott said the institute had not analysed in any detail the issue of building heights but in principle it supported taller buildings along Daldy St and Fanshawe St as a "reasonable trade-off for land kept as open space".

The institute supported the careful placing of taller buildings to provide wide views from upper levels and a consequent increase in value, plus a variety of building heights.

It has suggested heights of between five and 13 storeys at the Tank Farm - slightly taller than the five to 10 storeys at the Viaduct Harbour.