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Auckland
Development Committee
13 November
2014
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Exchange of Reserve Land Proposal - Three Kings Quarry
and PA372
File No.: CP2014/25115
Purpose
1. To
inform the Committee of a proposed land exchange between Fletcher Residential
Ltd (FRL), Auckland Council and the Crown to enable a comprehensive development
of the Three Kings Quarry and the surrounding reserve land.
2. The report
outlines issues and process requirements and makes recommendations to progress
actions that can enable a land exchange agreement to be finalised.
Executive
summary
3. At the Auckland Development
Committee’s meeting of 11 September 2014 it was resolved to notify two private
plan change requests submitted by FRL, PA372 and PA373. These notifications
took place on 13 October 2014.
4. Both plan change requests would
enable residential and mixed use developments to provide between 1,200 -1,500
dwellings for approximately 3,000 to 4,000 people, but PA372 would provide a
less dense development.
5. This report addresses the
requirements of PA372 which seeks an exchange of reserve land between Crown,
Council and FRL.
6. Attachment 1 shows the current
ownership of the parcels of land around the quarry. Part of the reserve land
is council owned, and part is Crown owned. Auckland Council is the
administrative body for the reserves and holds the crown land in trust for
reserve purposes.
7. Attachment 2 was prepared by FRL
and shows the proposed exchange areas. Under the FRL proposal the blue parcels
would transfer from Council or Crown to FRL, and the light green parcels would
transfer from FRL to Crown or Council. The dark green area adjacent to Te
Tatua-a-Riukiuta (Big King) is not part of the exchange proposal and FRL is in
discussions with iwi over the future ownership of this land. New roading would
be built by FRL and vest as ‘road’.
8. The land to the south of the
quarry (Area G, west of Grahame Breed Drive) has a 135 space car park, further
ancillary parking, a City Park depot and yard (Area F), but otherwise the open
space is overgrown and un-utilised, and parts are enclosed by very steep
slopes.
9. A track provides a link to the
western reserve which is used as a playing field for football and softball. The
field is only accessible to the public by foot had has no facilities or
improvements. The level area is surrounded by steep banks and a concrete
footpath and staircase lead north to Te Tātua-a-Riukiuta/ Big King. The
exchange proposes to provide two adjacent sand carpeted sports fields to
replace the loss of the sports field on the western reserve.
10. The land lies in an area subject
to the provisions of the Ngā Mana Whenua o Tamaki Makaurau Collective Redress Act 2014, under which mana
whenua have a right of first refusal (RFR) on the sale of surplus Crown owned
land.
11. Exchanges of Crown derived
reserve land can be made under the Redress Act, and the Department of
Conservation will be requested to confirm that this particular exchange
proposal is within that exception, and that the requisite
Crown-mana whenua discussions have occurred to reach comfort in relation to it.
12. S.15 (1) of the Reserves Act 1977
provides for the exchange of parts of a reserve for any other land to be held
for the purposes of that reserve, subject to criteria around the improved
benefit for the purpose of the reserve.
13. The Three Kings Plan was adopted
by the Puketāpapa Local Board in August 2014 and sets out five key moves
to guide development in Three Kings. FRL has been active participants in the
consultation around the draft Plan, and advocate that the proposed development
set out in PA372 will deliver those key moves. The Plan indicates the location
of a civic heart or node, and the plaza area proposed in the PA372 is not in
this location.
14. The Local Board recommends that
an ‘optimum’ council exchange proposal is developed in consultation with FRL,
Antipodean Properties Ltd (owners of the Three Kings shopping centre) and
Housing New Zealand, another significant land owner in the area.
15. Before any agreement is
finalised, from an open space perspective it is important that any proposal
ensures that new sports field sizes, configuration and buffer areas provide for
a multifunctional open space. This should be capable of providing for maximum
playing hours, include lighting, car parking and not be adversely impacted by
stormwater mitigation measures for the whole development. It will also be important
to ensure that any proposal provides for an operational depot site, clear
pedestrian access, agreement between what is public and what is private open
space and a strong interface with the town centre around a civic heart or node.
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Recommendation/s
That the Auckland Development
Committee endorse that Auckland Council Property Limited
(ACPL) and council staff:
a) engage with
the Puketāpapa Local
Board on the Fletcher Residential Ltd land exchange proposal to achieve a
land exchange agreement aligned to the Three Kings Plan;
b) consult with
Antipodean Properties Ltd and Housing New Zealand on the Fletcher Residential Ltd land exchange proposal;
c) confirm with
Department of Conservation, the Tūpuna Maunga o Tāmaki Makaurau
Authority, the Tamaki Collective and iwi their positions on the land exchange
proposal;
d) negotiate with
Fletcher Residential Ltd to finalise a land exchange agreement to meet
Council’s objectives;
e) report back to
the Auckland Development Committee on a proposed land exchange agreement
following negotiations with Fletcher Residential Ltd and the consultation in
resolutions a) - c) above.
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Comments
Proposed Plan Change PA372
16. In February
2014, after consultation with council and other parties over the previous 12-18
months, FRL publicly released a master plan proposal for the redevelopment of
the quarry. The plan included adjoining Crown and council reserve land to
enable better integration of the residential areas to the town centre, the
improvement of active and passive open space and improvement in the
connectivity of surrounding residential areas. The release of the master plan
coincided with submissions on the proposed Auckland Unitary Plan and the
development of the draft Three Kings Precinct Plan.
17. In August 2014
the Puketāpapa Local Board
adopted the Three Kings Plan to guide development of the Three Kings area, and
FRL Residential Ltd submitted two Plan Change requests (PA372 and PA373) that
were notified on 13 October 2014. Submissions close on 10 November 2014 after
a period of 20 working days, and a further submission period will likely occur
in early December 2014 for 10 working days.
18. PA372 relies
upon an exchange of parts of reserve land at 1011 Mount Eden Road and 23-25
Fyvie Avenue (Three Kings Reserve) that adjoin the quarry at 985 Mount Eden
Road.
Ownership of Land
19. There are areas
of reserve land identified by PA372. The reserve land adjacent to the southern
boundary of the quarry totals 3.85ha and is derived from the Crown, but held in
trust, and administered on its behalf, by Auckland Council. The other reserve
land, adjacent to the western boundary, is partially derived from the Crown
(1.58ha), with the balance
being Auckland Council land (1.47ha). Attachment 1 illustrates the current
land ownership.
20. The
transfer history of Area D (refer Attachment 1) is unusual and although Crown
is the underlying owner, council appears to have some claim to the land due to
the unusual changes of ownership between the Crown and Mount Roskill Borough
Council in the 1960s and 1970s. It was vested in trust to Auckland City
Council as recreation reserve in 1993. Confirmation of the ownership is
required to calculate the amount of Crown and council land included in any
proposed exchange and the ownership allocation in the new reserve land.
21. Housing New
Zealand (HNZ) is a significant owner of property to the west beyond the reserve
area, and Antipodean Properties Ltd own the Three Kings retail centre.
Antipodean has direct interest in the proposed land exchange and the interface
of the retail area with the residential development proposed at 985 Mount Eden
Road and the southern reserve area. Housing New Zealand has a significant
portfolio of properties to the west.
Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Act 2014
22. The Crown
derived reserve land is subject to the provisions of this Act, under
which mana whenua have a right of first refusal (RFR) on the sale of surplus
Crown owned land.
23. Under
s.135 of the Act, Crown is able to dispose of RFR land in accordance with s.15
of the Reserves Act. Council will seek confirmation from DoC that s.135 would
apply to the disposal of any Crown land that forms part of any exchange
agreement, and staff will engage with DoC to ensure that the
requisite Crown-mana whenua discussions have occurred to reach comfort in
relation to this RFR exception.
24. Exchanged
Crown land would cease to be RFR land after the exchange. Land received by
Crown and gazetted as reserve would become RFR land.
Exchange of Land - s.15 Reserves Act
1977
25. S.15 (1) of the Reserves Act 1977
provides for the exchange of parts of a reserve for any other land to be held
for the purposes of that reserve. The assessment criteria are based on
suitability of purpose; the land to be acquired under s.15 shall be more
suitable for the purpose for which the existing part of the reserve being
disposed of is held at the time of the exchange.
26. S.15 (2) of the Reserves Act
provides that a notice of intention to request an exchange is not necessary where,
‘in order to enable the exchange to be made, a change has been made in an
operative district scheme under the Town and Country Planning Act’. Although
a plan change has been submitted in this instance, council staff are of the
view that full public consultation under a notice of intention should be
undertaken in this case.
27. New open space
land acquired as part of the exchange is gazetted as reserve and is held
subject to the same objects and purposes as the original land.
28. In this
particular case, the timing of any exchange would need to be staged to allow
for completion of engineering and remediation works.
Proposed Land Exchange Areas
29. Attachment 2
illustrates the areas of land that are proposed by FRL in PA372 for exchange.
The original exchange proposal in February 2014 included the park
maintenance depot and a strip of land adjoining the northern boundary of the
town centre. It was also suggested that the stormwater infrastructure of
swales and rain gardens on the northern and eastern side of the development
should form part of the exchange as the system had some amenity value.
30. Following
discussions with ACPL, FRL has amended the proposal to exclude the swales and
rain gardens, most of the depot area and the strip of land between Grahame
Breed Drive and the town centre land. It is noted that the further work
remains to be done on the alignment of the roading that currently impacts
severely on the operation of the depot.
31. The western wall
of the quarry in FRL ownership adjoins Te Tātua-a-Riukiuta (Big King). Negotiations between FRL and iwi are
underway over the possible transfer of this land to iwi interests and for the
provision of a site for the development of a Whare Maanaki. This quarry wall
area does not form part of the exchange proposal.
32. There are three
parcels of land in the southern area totaling 1.09ha that would be used for the
development of apartment blocks up to eight storeys. Substantial engineering
works will need to be undertaken to trim the quarry face to create the building
platforms in these locations. The retained reserve land between these buildings
is proposed to be remediated to provide stairs and ramps to connect the ground
floor of the apartments at RL60 to Grahame Breed Drive at RL75. The balance of
the ground at RL60 will be remediated as part of the sand carpeted playing
fields and roading.
33. There are two
parcels of land on the western reserve totaling 1.35ha are proposed to be
developed as walk-up apartments. The land between the blocks is proposed to be
landscaped to provide passive open space and connection through to Smallfield
Avenue and down to the playing fields. It is proposed that a large area will
be used for separated roading and a graded access to Big King Reserve will be
formed.
34. Open space
assessments are currently being undertaken. Key issues relate to pedestrian
access and connectivity, the loss of existing and provision of new car parking,
the configuration of the proposed open space (especially on slopes and behind
buildings), the detail of the landscaping, the size and operation of the
playing fields and buffers around the pitches, the location of the civic heart
or node, and the design of the road in the area of the depot which impacts on
the usability of the depot’s yard.
Open Space - Suitability for Purpose
35. The proposed
land exchange provides an opportunity to provide a high quality,
multi-functional central park, and the opportunity to improve open space
connections between the town centre, the Te Tātua-a-Riukiuta (Big King) and the new development.
36. The existing
open space (western sports field and the southern area) are currently
under-developed. If retained as open space, improved open space outcomes could
be achieved but only at a significant cost. Under the land exchange proposal,
the exchange should deliver at least as good as (if not better) open space but
at no cost to council and the outcomes may be aligned more closely with the
Three Kings Plan. Specifications around the level of remediation of the retained
reserve land will form part of a framework agreement.
37. The rain garden
and swales network and the flood storage pond in to the west of the sports
fields will provide additional open space amenity in the development. These
elements may be vested in council as a stormwater asset.
38. With regard to
open space configuration, pedestrian accesses have been proposed from Grahame
Breed Drive, Smallfield Avenue and between the western reserve and Te Tātua-a-Riukiuta. With the current
level of design provided, staff are unable to fully assess the functionality or
nature of the experience of the proposed open space areas, particularly in
relation to pedestrian access and circulation in the vicinity of the dual road
layout near the western area. It is also unclear what proportion of the passive
open space proposed should be owned or managed by the development’s management
structure. Design specifications and performance requirements will form part
of any framework agreement.
39. The car park
adjacent to Grahame Breed Drive occupies the area identified in the Three Kings
Plan as a node or civic heart. The development master plan seeks to use this
land for apartment development, connection to the playing fields and the lower
level development, and for the principal access road. Car parks are proposed
around the playing fields. The town centre is well provided with parking and
the impact of the car park in the exchange is unlikely to create significant parking
issues, though this needs to be evaluated further.
Sports fields - Suitability for Purpose
40. Under the
exchange proposal, the existing soil sports field on the western reserve would
be reduced in size and converted to landscaped passive open space providing
connections down to the new sports fields.
41. Two side-by-side
sports fields (sand carpet) are proposed in the development that would also
provide an opportunity for summer (cricket) and winter (football) sport.
Passive open space adjoins the sports fields.
42. The size of the
two sports fields proposed are 60m X 100m with a 3m buffer around each
(standard to optimum field sizes for football range from 65m X100m and 70m
X110m with 3m buffers). The combined area would provide a cricket oval in
summer. The field configuration is close to the proposed footpath in places,
with contiguous passive open space to the east, and passive open space to the
west but is separated by a road. Provision of an open space buffer
around the playing fields (20 metres plus is a normal design guideline) would
help to provide a more multifunctional park that allows for both passive and
active recreation and allows flexibility of use over time.
43. FRL’s proposal
does not include the installation of lights on the proposed fields, and the
provision of toilet and changing facilities is to be confirmed. This means that
the fields would not cater for the high demand for winter training between 4
and 9.30pm on week nights unless installed. This is a major disadvantage to council’s
efforts to meet the demand for training facilities in this part of the isthmus.
Approximately two thirds of all winter use is training, most of which requires
lights and the benefit of changing facilities. Lighting could be installed on
either or both fields and current light design means that glare and spillage
will not be a problem for neighbours, but other reverse sensitivity issues
would need to be addressed. A location for changing and toilet facilities is
identified south-west of the fields.
44. A full acoustic
assessment is required to determine whether or not play would be limited by
acoustic constraints under the Operative Auckland Council District Plan –
Isthmus Section. Given the close proximity of the proposed apartments, it is
important to determine that noise restrictions may impact on the usability of
the fields.
45. The sports
fields are proposed to have a dual function as a storm water detention area for
over 1 in 10 year flood events. This is a relatively high standard and the anticipated
storage depths and soakage rates of the current design are set out below.
Generally speaking, grass would be at risk if it is submerged for more than 5
or 6 days.
46.
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Rain event
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Water depth (cm)
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Soak away time (hours)
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1 in 10 year
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0
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Drains away during event
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1 in 50 year
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40
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2.2 hours after conclusion of event
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1 in 100 year
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60
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14.4 hours after the conclusion of event
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47. The Stormwater
Unit is reviewing the designs presented by FRL and will advise fully on the
likely frequency of inundation and rates of soakage.
48. Parking (100+
spaces) is provided around the sports field perimeter and access to the parking
around the town centre would also be possible, but less convenient due the
significant height differences, by the connecting staircases. It will also be
important to determine that the proposal provides sufficient car parking for
sports field use in particular.
49. In its current
configuration, staffs believe that the proposed central park may not fully
realise the opportunity to provide maximum playing hours and a multifunctional
experience compared to an open green field site unrestrained by adjacent land
holdings.
Equality of Exchange
50. Under the Public Finance Act,
fiscal equality of exchange is required as a minimum, either by receiving land
of higher value for that exchanged, or by receiving a cash payment or an
agreement to undertake capital works by the other party to address any
inequality between the parcels of reserve land exchanged.
51. Apart from the benefit of
facilitating a comprehensive, high quality, residential development that
provides a solution to the future use of the quarry area, and an impetus to
revitalise the Three Kings town centre, the value to council in this proposed
exchange lies in the quality of the land being transferred to FRL prior to any
remediation works, compared to the area, quality and amenity of the land being
transferred to into crown/council ownership. The value to FRL is the ability
to release a financial return from high density residential development and the
benefits of being able to present an improved offering to the market.
52. The cost of remediating the
current reserve land is significant. 1.78ha of land is proposed to transfer to
FRL, and the quarry wall and quarry floor land will require significant works
to prepare for development. FRL propose to transfer 2.21ha of quarry land that
will be filled and finished to agreed standards and specifications for active
recreational, casual recreational and open space purposes. There are stormwater
uses designed into these areas.
53. As part of those works, FRL would
remediate other areas totalling approximately 1.3ha of land not subject to the
exchange, which will be developed to provide high quality open space,
connection areas and form the balance of the two sand carpeted sports fields.
FRL would also undertake the development of almost 2ha of roading, walkways and
cycle ways on the retained land.
Existing Reserve land - Options for Stand Alone Remediation
54. The southern and
western reserves total 6.9ha and include the western playing field, a car park,
the City Parks depot, and undeveloped open space areas (some formerly quarried)
which is overgrown and un-utilised.
55. The
topography is challenging. Approximately 50% of the western reserve is flat
and level, with the balance being steep banks. A concrete footpath and
staircase link the area with Te Tātua-a-Riukiuta
(Big King). The soil sports field provides casual year round amenity for
football and softball, but is only accessible to the public by foot.
Maintenance access for vehicles is provided from Grahame Breed Drive. There
are no facilities, lighting, toilets or other improvements to this field, but
an upgrade to an artificial field is currently budgeted for 2021.
56. The reserve land
is held for recreation purpose and local purpose (depot). On assessing the
stand-alone opportunity, this land is unlikely to be a candidate for a reserve
revocation. It would be most likely that council would seek to upgrade the
western reserve and remediate the lower area adjacent to the quarry for casual
recreation or another sports field.
57. A report was
commissioned by Puketāpapa
Local Board from Riley Consultants to look at the feasibility of providing two
playing fields on the existing reserve at different finished levels. Seven
options were assessed and a side by side configuration of the fields was not
possible. The options ranged in cost from $1.7m to over $10m. These
costs excluded roading, parking, toilets, changing facilities, sand carpeting
($250,000/pitch) and passive recreational space improvements. From this
analysis it is clear that council would need to source substantial funding to
develop the southern and western areas for those uses, and the outcomes would
not assist in providing high density residential development close the town
centre.
Next Steps
58. The recommended
next steps are:
a) Engage as
directed by the resolution proposed in this report.
b) Obtain
confirmation from Department of Conservation that s.135 of the Ngā Mana
Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Act
2014 Act applies to this proposed exchange, and that the requisite Crown-mana whenua discussions have occurred to reach
comfort in this regard.
c) Negotiate with FRL to develop a land exchange agreement suitable for
recommendation to the Crown and Council.
d) Report back to Auckland Development Committee on an agreed land
exchange agreement.
If the Committee resolves to issue a notice
of intention to exchange land under s.15 of the Reserves Act 1977, then the
following steps will apply:
a. Consult with Department of
Conservation, iwi and adjoining owners on the proposal.
b. Prepare information for public
submission period.
c. Publish Notice of Intention to
request an exchange under s.15 of the Reserves Act.
d. Public consultation - one month
period.
e. Collate submissions and seek to
address objections raised.
f. Address objections via a
hearings process.
g. Subject to the submissions and
objections, confirm the exchange agreement with FRL.
h. On agreement, report back to the
Auckland Development Committee to seek a resolution to request an exchange of
reserve land under s.15 of the Reserves Act 1977.
i. Process review and
implementation of the exchange is then undertaken by Council and Department of
Conservation.
Consideration
Local
board views and implications
59. On 27 February
the Puketāpapa Local Board passed the following resolution
60. Resolution
number PKTPP/2014/21:That the Puketāpapa Local Board provides in principle
support for:
a) Land exchange as
one method to improve the quality and location of usable open space within the
Three Kings Precinct Plan Area.
b) Following the
completion of the Three Kings Precinct Plan work already underway, staff to
investigate the merit of an exchange of portions of council owned or managed
land, identified as Areas C, D, G and F in Attachment A and taking into account
the whole range of landowners in the Three Kings area.
61. The Board has
held two recent workshops with council officers and ACPL on the exchange
proposal. The workshops discussed council officers views on the exchange plan
in the context of the Three Kings Plan, and the legal aspects of the exchange
process.
62. At the meeting
of 30 October 2014, the Board considered a recommendation to continue
negotiations with FRL to reach an exchange agreement. After discussion The
Board resolved to:
a) endorse further
internal work by Council to determine the land exchange opportunities that will
deliver the optimum configuration of land to meet the outcomes and actions set
out in Council’s Three Kings Plan.
b) once the work in
a) has been completed and agreed, to enter into discussions with landowners in
the Three Kings Plan area (including FRL Residential, Antipodean and Housing
New Zealand) to explore land exchange opportunities to meet Council’s
objectives.
c) require regular
updates and consultation from officers about the work identified in a) and b).
Māori
impact statement
63. Mana Whenua who
have interests in the Puketapapa area are Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti
Whatua o Kaipara, Ngāti Whātua Orākei, Te Kawerau ā Maki,
Ngāti Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Tamaoho, Te Akitai Waiohua,
Ngāti Te Ata, , Ngāti Whanaunga, Ngāti Maru and Ngāti
Tamaterā.
64. Te
Tātua-a-Riukiuta / Big King Reserve has transferred to Mana Whenua (the
Tūpuna Taonga o Tāmaki Makaurau Trust), to be administered by the
Tūpuna Maunga o Tāmaki Makaurau Authority under the Ngā Mana
Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Act 2014. Hapū / Iwi will have a strong interest in
any proposals that have an impact on Big King Reserve, Te Tātua-a-Riukiuta
and Crown land and other open space in the immediate vicinity.
65. The Ngā
Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Act provides for a mana
whenua Right of First Refusal in relation to the disposal of surplus Crown
land; s135 of the Act states that Crown ‘may’ dispose of RFR land in accordance
with s.15 of the Reserve Act. Council staff will engage with DoC to ensure
that the requisite Crown-mana whenua discussions have occurred to reach comfort
in relation to the s135 RFR exception.
66. FRL have held a
number of hui with iwi and are in discussions with representatives of the Tamaki
Collective around the land exchange and the master plan for the development
with a view to seeking agreement of iwi related interests and the land
adjoining Te Tātua-a-Riukiuta
that is in FRL ownership,
67. ACPL intends to
commence its own consultation with mana whenua during the first week of
November 2014. It is understood that a number of iwi will be making
submissions on PA372 and PA373 during the submission period that closes on 10
November 2014.
Implementation
68. Implementation
of any development would follow the plan change and reserve revocation and land
exchange processes. Any development would also need specific statutory planning
approval.
Attachments
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No.
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Title
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Page
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aView
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Land Ownership around Three Kings Quarry
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17
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bView
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Reserve Exchange Plan - Aerial Overlay
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19
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Signatories
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Author
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Nigel Hewitson – Team Leader Disposals – Auckland
Council Property Ltd
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Authorisers
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Clive Fuhr - Acquisitions & Disposals Manager –
Auckland Council Property Ltd
Roger Blakeley - Chief Planning Officer
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Auckland
Development Committee
13 November
2014
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City Centre Integration update - for period 1 October
to 31 October 2014
File No.: CP2014/26115
Purpose
1. To update the Committee on City
Centre Integration progress between 1 to 31 October 2014.
Executive
summary
2. LTP
Budget Review
a. The City Centre proposal was further presented
to the Budget Committee workshop on the 24th October 2014.
b. Resolution of the terms and conditions for the renewed City Centre
Targeted Rate is required to inform the LTP funding options for City Centre
initiatives. CCI is assisting the Mayor’s office and Auckland City Centre
Advisory Board to draft terms of a renewed Targeted Rate.
c. All projects
and initiatives in the City Centre are subject to review and amendment through
the current LTP Budget review. This may affect the scope and timing of
projects outlined below.
3. Lorne Street
Shared Space Upgrade
a) Installation of
the relocated bronze ‘REO’ text seats started on 13 October and is scheduled
for completion by early November.
b) Activation
opportunities (events, kiosks, outdoor dining etc) are being explored for the
upcoming Spring/Summer period.
4. O’Connell
Street Shared Space Upgrade – Completed
a) The installation
of art work (O for O’Connell) is due end of 2014
5. Federal Street
Shared Space Upgrade
a) A joint opening
event with Auckland Council and SkyCity is planned for 7th November
2014.
b) Federal Street
PCG currently looking at optional initiatives to support an enhanced public
experience in the space.
6. Myers Park
Development
a) Construction is
underway for stage 1 of the Myers Park Development Plan, to be completed before
the Park Centenary in February 2015.
b) The Auckland
City Centre Advisory Board supports funding from the City Centre targeted rate
to support the next stages of the Myers Park Development Plan, to be delivered
in 2015/16. Work will focus on improving the northern and southern entrances,
including improvements to:
i) Greys
Ave and Mayoral Drive stairs
ii) Queen
Street and Mayoral Drive Entrance
iii) Stormwater
detention dam and bio filtration area adjacent to the underpass
iv) Mayoral
Drive underpass
v) Pedestrian
link from Pitt Street via Poynton terrace to Myers Park
7. Bledisloe
House Customer Services Centre and Bledisloe Lane Upgrade
a) Construction is
progressing on target for completion in November 2014, when the Customer
Service Centre opens.
8. Freyberg Square
and Ellen Melville Hall
a) Auckland City
Centre Advisory Board confirmed allocation of additional targeted rate funds to
Freyberg Square development in June 2014.
b) Appointment of
design consultants is underway for both the Ellen Melville hall upgrade and
improvements to Freyberg Square. Following appointment of a design team, City
Centre Integration will lead the project.
c) Developed design
for both Hall and Square due to be completed in early 2015.
9. Precinct
Frameworks
a) Framework
documents will be compiled for key city centre precincts, to collate planning
and project information and inform decisions on projects and initiatives from
Council and CCOs for:
i) Wynyard Quarter – complete.
ii) Downtown - an
engagement plan is being developed to communicate the scope, purpose, issues
and purpose to key stakeholders
iii) Aotea – This
framework is currently under development through a CCI led working group. The
framework briefing paper is provided in attachment 1. The paper proposes the
purpose, scope, timeframe, governance, stakeholders and key issue relating to
the precinct.
iv) Learning Quarter
– to commence early 2015.
v) Victoria Quarter
– to commence 2015.
vi) City Centre
Transport - This framework is currently under development through a CCI led working
group. The framework is to cover initiatives from Auckland Transport and NZTA
that effect and influence the city centre.
10. Central Wharves
/ Vessel Berthage Strategy
a) The strategy
will inform options for redevelopment of the harbour edge and central wharves,
including Queens Wharf and the ferry / cruise basins.
i) Noted that the
Port study stage 2 review is underway separately, and will help inform the
strategies.
ii) Analysis of
options is progressing well, with initial findings due end 2014
iii) There will be
discussions with interested local boards over the coming weeks about evolving
options.
11. Ferry Basin
Redevelopment
a) Options are
being investigated for redevelopment of the Downtown ferry infrastructure to
cater for recent updates to growth forecasts, which indicate significant growth
in passenger numbers over the next 3-5 years.
b) Initial
redevelopment will be informed by the vessel berthage strategy, and staged to
align with planned Quay St streetscapes and seawall upgrades.
12. Quay Street
Seawall
a) Investigations
have determined that sections of the seawall may fail in a moderate seismic
event. Auckland Transport as the asset owner intends to upgrade or replace the
seawall to current seismic design standards.
b) The procurement
& delivery strategy is being developed, for a planned start of physical
works 2015/16 (subject to funding). Trials will be carried out in early 2015.
c) Maintenance
repairs to prevent further deterioration of the seawall adjacent to Princes
Wharf were completed in September 2014.
13. Public Open
Space – Queen Elizabeth Square
a) Following the
decision regarding the sale or lease of QE Square by the ADC in September, the
downtown public open space review is developing responses to the ADC
resolutions, including detailed consideration of planning and design option.
b) An online survey
for Aucklanders to provide their feedback of what they would like to see in
Downtown public space is currently open until 12 December 2014. www.shapeauckland.co.nz
14. Quay Street
Streetscape Upgrade
a) Council and CCOs
are jointly finalising the design brief, for release (or further modification)
following clarification of funding through the current LTP budget review. The
further issue of tender documentation has been placed on hold pending LTP
budget outcomes.
b) Staging of works will be
coordinated with CRL, Seawall and Ferry Basin upgrades.
c) A review of early proposals to underground Quay Street has been
completed. The independent assessment of the options considered public realm,
transport and economic benefits plus whole of life cost estimates. The report
confirms that an at-grade proposal to upgrade Quay Street will provide
significant transformational benefits, and that undergrounding provides little
if any additional benefit, but at very much higher capital and operating costs
and with major disruption and constructability risk. It is not proposed to
pursue an underground option for Quay Street further.
15. Wynyard
Quarter Integrated Roading
a) Roading and
infrastructure upgrades for Wynyard Quarter are being rolled out to align with
development during 2014-2020, subject to LTP funding
b) Design is
progressing for the southern sector – first stage of construction is due to
align with completion of the Fonterra HQ development on Fanshawe / Halsey St by
end 2015.
c) Staged delivery
and property acquisitions are being aligned with lease expiries &
contractual obligations.
d) A Wynyard
Quarter budget allocation paper is due to go to the AT Board in November 2014
16. City Centre PT
Infrastructure
a) The programme
business case of city centre bus infrastructure is due to be completed, and
will inform engagement with stakeholders on options for project scope and
functional requirements.
b) An operational
plan has been completed for the bus network during the proposed CRL Enabling
Works period. Detailed planning and design will commence immediately.
c) Concept planning
is progressing well for Downtown Interchange (with CRL), for engagement with
stakeholders in late 2014.
d) Indicative and
Detailed business cases (Scheme assessment) for the Fanshawe Street/Wynyard
Station design due to go out early November 14.
17. Wynyard Quarter
– Te Wero Bridge
a) The existing Te
Wero Bridge was designed & built for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, with a
limited design life (5-8 years). Options for upgrade / replacement /
maintenance are being considered, within the constraints of the LTP budget
review.
18. Westhaven
Promenade
a) Work is progressing
well and will be completed in stages through 2014/15 and Stage 2 from 2015/16
(subject to funding).
19. City Centre
Cycle Network
a) ACCAB supported
the proposed concept design for Beach Road Stage 2 – Cycleway and public realm
improvements in October 2014.
b) Accelerated
implementation of the city centre cycle network is being investigated with
short / medium term cycle routes to link the existing cycle routes leading into
the city. Priority routes include:
i) Nelson St (incl the Nelson St Off ramp
- NZTA),
ii) Quay St,
iii) Victoria St,
iv) Beaumont St, and
v) K’Road,
c) Design options are currently
being costed and evaluated.
d) A North-south
Cycle Route provides an important route, linking the North-western Cycleway
with the waterfront and with midtown. Design is progressing to establish the
preferred alignment and treatment. The first stage is planned to be delivered
by mid 2015 and align with the NZTA Nelson Street Off ramp project
20. Hobson and
Nelson Street upgrade
a) Project
objectives are currently being scoped in an initial concept report, for review
with key stakeholders.
b) Funding and
timing will be staged in accordance with LTP Budgets – Stage 1 is required to
support the opening of the NZICC in late 2017.
21. Victoria Street
Linear Park
a) Earliest project
start date is deferred to 2019/20 to align with CRL construction (due to
intersection constraints).
22. Digital Auckland
a) Council and CCOs
are investigating the roll-out of a digital data and modelling tool which will
collate information for above and below ground infrastructure as a planning and
communication tool for the region.
b) A Business case
is being prepared by Council to consider costs and benefits, resource
requirements and timeframes for delivery.
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Recommendation/s
That the Auckland Development
Committee:
a) receive the City Centre
Integration update report.
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Attachments
There are no attachments for
this report.
Signatories
|
 Author
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Rick Walden – General Manager City Centre Integration
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Authorisers
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Roger Blakeley - Chief Planning Officer
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