Queens Wharf revamp 'terrific' and 'stunning'

A fine-tuned version of the proposal to revamp Queens Wharf has received approval from three Auckland mayors.

Auckland Transition Agency chairman Mark Ford - in charge of salvaging last year's Government bid to sell civic leaders on the idea of a combined cruise ship terminal and "party central" venue for Rugby World Cup 2011 - has shown the region's mayors the latest concept. The public will get to see it this week.

The Government, through Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully, will be presented with the region's recommended options this month.

One is thought to be a rethink of a refined version of last year's winner of a design competition entry, which was never announced.

"The concept is a terrific design and I think it's right to proceed," said Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey.

Manukau Mayor Len Brown said: "It's not bad - I like it."

North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams' verdict was: "It's a stunning piece of architecture - modern but with a certain amount of South Pacific flair."

However, Auckland City Mayor John Banks had not changed his view from last year that a decision on the wharf should not be rushed before the Super City Auckland Council starts in November and a masterplan is developed for the waterfront.

"We do not want another crass building in Auckland," he said.

Instead of a concept costed at $100 million to $110 million, Mr Banks has plumped for a $10 million spruce-up of the old wharf for the cup tournament.

He said Wellington should not be deciding the waterfront's future and sending the bill to the Super City.

However, Mr Brown, who is Mr Banks' rival for the mayoralty, said yesterday that the refined Jasmax/Architectus design was the best he had seen so far.

He was comfortable with a cruise ship terminal going on the wharf and supported it if the business case showed it was essential to do it before the cup because of extraordinary economic benefits now and later.

Mr Harvey, who is a member of a Government group to promote events for the cup, said the region should commit itself to the concept, which uses about a quarter of Queens Wharf.

"Right now we have to have this project sorted and stop going backwards and forwards.

"But I think any iconic building needs to be put on the backburner for 10 years or so and placed on Wynyard Wharf."

Mr Williams said Auckland could not afford to wait a year or two for a new cruise liner terminal and if the concept received good Government and regional support "it should move ahead at pace".

Mr Brown said the ultimate decision rested with the Auckland City Council, Auckland Regional Council and the Government.