Agenda of Auckland City Centre Advisory Board

Auckland City Centre Advisory Board

07 December 2016

City Centre Progress Update for the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board - to 30 November 2016

File No.: CP2016/23595

Purpose

1. To update the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board (ACCAB) on progress on City Centre projects and initiatives to 30 November 2016.

2. The report provides a high-level overview of progress on projects and initiatives in the City Centre, including:

a. Programming Activities

b. Operations

c. Delivery Projects

For each project, a coloured bar shows the three stages of development:

Feasibility / Investigation
Design / Consultation
Construction

An arrow then shows what stage the project is currently at.

Executive summary

Sky Path

3. The closing statement of the Environment Court has indicated consent will be granted for SkyPath, subject to refining of conditions.

Myers Park Upgrade – Stage 2

4. The Stage 2 upgrade is now being delivered in two separate workstreams;

i. Construction of the Splash Pad is scheduled to begin on December 5th and is due to be completed by the end of February 2017;

ii. Construction of the Mayoral Drive Underpass artwork and improvements to the entrances are due to be completed by November 2017.

Ellen Melville Centre and Freyberg Place Upgrade

5. Construction continues to progress well on all aspects of the project.

6. There will be no vehicle access to O’Connell Street from early January to mid-February to enable a raised table to be constructed at the intersection of Courthouse Lane, Chancery Street and O’Connell Street. The Activate Auckland team will lead a programme of activities in O’Connell Street while the road is closed.

Britomart Streetscapes - Stage 1: Galway Street

7. Construction was completed on 25 November 2016.

8. The project has been the fastest shared space delivered in Auckland, due to a high quality collaboration between AT, the DPO and Cooper and Company, meaning Tiffany and Co were able to open their doors to the public in the last week of October.

Karangahape Road Streetscape Enhancement

9. The draft concept design package was consulted on from 17 October until 20 November. Nearly 1700 submissions were received and the first cut of analysis on the feedback is anticipated by mid-December with a full report due in February 2017.

City Centre Maintenance

10. The condition survey undertaken in September has identified a number of areas where pavement needs attention. AT has advised that responsibility for any further condition surveys and repairs sits with them.

11. The Maintenance Working Group (including staff from AT, Waste Solutions and the Development Programmes Office) will undertake monthly audits to ensure repairs are undertaken in a timely way.

Homelessness

12. The first draft of a funding agreement between Auckland Council and the James Liston Hostel Trust has been completed and is with the trust for review.

City Rail Link

13. An industry briefing for procurement of the main contract works was held on 29 November 2016.

14. Good progress on piling along Albert Street means the contractors are on track to start digging the 350-metre cut and cover tunnels up Albert Street in the first quarter of 2017.

Albert Street and Lower Queen Street Public Realm Works

15. Three members of ACCAB are attending the monthly CRL urban realm steering group meetings so that input from representatives of the business and residents sectors can be considered.

16. The CRL team will attend the December ACCAB meeting to update the full board on progress to date.

Activate Auckland

17. The Griffiths Gardens on the corner of Albert Street and Wellesley Street opened on Wednesday 30 November. It will be a place for music, games and gardening over summer and will be home to the ‘For the Love of Bees’ project from early 2017.

18. The Activate Auckland team is leading place-making in Lower Queen Street from 27 November 2016. The programme of activation has been developed in consultation with AT, CRL, DPO, Panuku, ATEED, Precinct, Cooper and Company and Heart of the City, starting with the inclusion of dressing the surface with graphics and artificial turf.

Downtown Infrastructure Development (DID) programme

19. There are a number of intrinsically linked key development projects in Auckland’s downtown waterfront precinct, being managed as part of the Downtown Infrastructure Development (DID) Programme. This is a collaboration between key stakeholders; Auckland Transport, Panuku, Auckland Council, ATEED and PoAL, facilitated by the Development Programme Office (DPO). These projects currently are:

· The Downtown Public Spaces (DPS) project;

· Seismic Upgrade of the Quay St Seawall;

· Ferry Basin Infrastructure reconfiguration;

· Cruise Infrastructure, including the Queens Wharf Mooring Dolphin;

· Ports of Auckland future planning.

20. A full briefing on the Downtown Infrastructure Development Programme will be given to ACCAB in early 2017.

DID - Downtown Public Spaces

21. On 21 October the Environment Court released the decision in support of the Queen Elizabeth Square road stopping and on 23 November the final decision concerning proposed Plan Modification 79 was released, dismissing the appeal by Auckland Architecture Association.

22. This means that the sale and purchase agreement between Auckland Council and Precinct Properties can now be ratified, subject to confirmation that Precinct have met Council’s design requirements. Settlement is still scheduled for 1 January 2018.

Learning Quarter

23. The Learning Quarter Working Group has endorsed a programme of improvements for Albert Park which includes CCTV, new lighting, path upgrades, wayfinding and interpretive signage, and repairs and restoration of the band rotunda and the Caretaker’s Cottage.

Recommendation/s

That the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board:

a) receive the City Centre progress update report, updated to 30 November 2016.

Comments

Programming

Lower Queen St & Albert St Reinstatement upgrades

24. The Auckland City Centre Advisory Board has endorsed, subject to conditions, contributing $20 million for the reinstatement of Albert Street and $10 million for the reinstatement of Lower Queen Street, to be included in the construction contracts for CRL.

25. Three members of ACCAB have been attending the CRL urban realm steering group meetings so that input from representatives of the business and residents sectors can be considered.

26. Members of the CRL team will be attending the December ACCAB meeting to update the full board on progress to date.

Downtown Infrastructure Development (DID) programme

27. Work is continuing on integrating key workstreams and aligning requirements for the implementation of key initiatives along the waterfront.

28. Panuku is leading the strategic work on the waterfront, including the continuation of the Central Wharves Strategy, and will develop a comprehensive narrative about issues across the waterfront

29. A full briefing on the Downtown Infrastructure Development Programme will be given to ACCAB in early 2017.

DID - Downtown Public Spaces

30. On 21 October the Environment Court released the decision on the Queen Elizabeth Square road stopping, supporting the application jointly made by Auckland Transport, Precinct Properties and Auckland Council.

31. On 23 November the final decision concerning proposed Plan Modification 79 was released, dismissing the appeal by Auckland Architecture Association.

32. The sale of QE Square to Precinct Properties can now be ratified subject to confirmation from Council that Precinct Properties have met the design requirements agreed as part of the sale and purchase agreement, at which point it will be unconditional.

33. The settlement date has been agreed as the 1^st of January 2018.

DID - Quay St Seawall Seismic Upgrade

34. Work is being undertaken to address key questions and assumptions around the seismic upgrade of the Quay St Seawall, including timeframes for the work to take place, and the extent of works for Stage 1 of the upgrades.

Learning Quarter

35. The Learning Quarter Working Group met on 13 October and endorsed a $600,000 programme of improvements within Albert Park including CCTV installation, lighting upgrades, path improvements, restoration of the band rotunda and restoration of the Caretaker’s Cottage.

36. Auckland Transport are proposing to pay for the installation of CCTV and lighting upgrades (approximately $100,000), and other projects will be funded by the City Centre Targeted Rate ($500,000).

37. The programme of works will be discussed with the Waitemata Local Board at a workshop on 6 December.

38. The Mid Town East West Public Transport Study has convened four workshops to date. The draft Indicative Business Case was completed and distributed to stakeholders for feedback on Monday 17 October. Final decisions on the preferred option are likely to be made in February after the next meeting between the Vice-Chancellors and the Chief Executives.

Homelessness

39. The first draft of a funding agreement between Auckland Council and the James Liston Hostel Trust has been completed and is with the trust for review. The agreement sets out conditions that must be fulfilled prior to the release of any funding for the upgrade to the James Liston Hostel, along with expectations of how the facility will operate in order to achieve expected outcomes.

40. The Public Amenities Working Group is investigating the optimal site for showers to primarily serve the needs of rough sleepers in the City Centre following the decision to not proceed with a trial shower in Elliot Street.

41. The Public Amenities Working Group is leading discussions between Libraries, ACE, DPO and Community Facilities about the provision of lockers for the homeless in the vicinity of the Central Library.

Strategic Integration

42. A new workstream to deliver a coherent package of City Centre strategies, outcomes, targets and monitoring framework is underway. Key recent activities include the commencement of:

· The project execution plan for the City Centre Master Plan (CCMP) refresh;

· The collation and review of all City Centre strategies and policies; and

· An analysis with a view to alignment of their respective targets and metrics.

High Street District Framework

43. A number of intercept surveys in the High Street District have been completed. The purpose of surveying people using the area is to understand current perceptions of the district and people’s vision for the future.

44. A number of in-depth ‘informant’ surveys were completed in September 2016. The surveys were undertaken with a range of people who have both a long history and a vested interest in the future of High Street.

45. A report detailing the findings of the intercept and informant surveys was received late October and identified the protection of character and pedestrian improvements as key priorities.

46. Further engagement with High Street District stakeholders will begin next year as the construction of Freyberg Place draws to an end.

Activate Auckland

47. The Activate Auckland team is leading place-making in Lower Queen Street from 27 November 2016. The programme of activation has been developed in consultation with AT, CRL, DPO, Panuku, ATEED, Precinct, Cooper and Company and Heart of the City, starting with the inclusion of dressing the surface with graphics and artificial turf.

48. The activation team has entered into a license to occupy agreement with Auckland Transport/Panuku to manage and activate the former Griffith Building site on the corner of Wellesley and Albert Streets for the next 18 months – 2 years. Griffiths Gardens opened on 30 November as a temporary public space and features a community garden/permaculture teaching space and a place for people to sit, meet and relax. Griffiths Gardens will become home to the “For the Love of Bees” project early 2017.

Sky Path

49. The closing statement of the Environment Court has indicated consent will be granted for SkyPath, subject to refining of conditions.

City Rail Link Update

50. A Heads of Agreement has been signed with government for joint funding of the CRL and the establishment of City Rail Link Ltd as the funding entity.

51. The demolition of the Downtown Shopping Centre is now complete and Fletcher Construction is well underway constructing the two deep pile stub walls at each point where the CRL tunnels intercept the Commercial Bay development site, at Lower Queen St and at the Albert and Customs Streets corner.

52. Downtown train users returning from their Christmas break will find the current Chief Post Office building closed and new entrances created for Britomart station. The building is closing for strengthening works prior to the construction of the CRL tunnels.

53. To catch a train at Britomart, passengers will need to use a new entrance in Commerce Street, behind Queen Street. Access will be available from Tyler Street, Galway Street and Takutai Square (eastern entrance) for the next three years.

54. Gomer, the 9-storey-high piling rig (affectionately named after comical 1960s TV character, Gomer Pyle), has made good progress at the Albert and Customs Street intersection and is now starting his way up Albert Street.

55. Gomer’s good progress means the CRL contractors are on track to start digging the 350-metre cut and cover tunnels up Albert Street in the first quarter of 2017.

Transport Updates

56. A presentation on the strategic direction of the future city centre transport networks was made at a recent AT Board subcommittee, where the approach was supported and it was directed that engagement on this commence with key stakeholders. A briefing will be provided to council’s Chief Executives on 7 December and engagement with other stakeholders will follow.

57. The Wynyard Interchange and Fanshawe St Indicative Business Case has been finalised. Investigations are underway into improvements that can be made to enable the New Network roll out ahead of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) project.

58. Downtown Bus Interchange – design will be progressed further once a decision is made by AT Metro on the preferred Britomart East bus interchange option. Alternative options have been prepared and assessed for the Britomart East bus interchange, with a view to identifying the potential to accommodate a development behind the Britomart Station (CPO), remove the need for buses to access the interchange via Lower Queen St and to allow for the impacts of LRT on Customs St.

Cycle Network

59. Nelson St Cycleway Stage 2: A new layout for the section from Victoria Street to Pakenham has been explored and early engagement with potentially affected adjacent owners/ occupiers has begun. Detailed design is progressing. Construction is planned to begin in March 2017. Investigation of the final connection, Pakenham St to Quay St is progressing.

60. Midtown cycleway Section 1: A route is planned to connect College Hill (Victoria Park) to Queen Street. Key stakeholder consultation will be undertaken in December and public consultation will start in February 2017. Section 2 (Queen Street to Grafton Road) was investigated as part of the Mid-Town Public Transport Indicative Business Case. AT will decide soon what elements of the route east of Queen St can progress.

Wynyard Quarter Redevelopment

61. The East 2 residential development within Wynyard Central is well underway. It will deliver a mix of apartments and town houses. Construction began late 2015 and is expected to be completed late 2017.

62. The Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct is emerging as a new commercial building, Innovation 5A, progresses. Demolition of existing buildings began in November 2015 and the structural steel shell of the building is now complete. Exterior cladding and internal fitouts are now underway.

63. Streetscape upgrades in Halsey and Pakenham Streets continue to progress well.

Operations

City Centre Operations

64. The City Centre Unit has compiled and is in the process of mapping the following data on GeoMaps:

· Building consents

· Event venues and hotels

· Resource consents

· Public realm works

· World Masters Games

65. The GeoMaps portal will be available across the council family.

66. We are investigating a dedicated website to collect information in one place for the use of visitors, residents and businesses.

67. We are working on a basic free map to give visitors a snapshot of the construction work taking place.

City Centre Maintenance

68. Following the initial condition survey of City Centre streetscape assets, AT has advised they will be responsible for further condition surveys and for implementing any repairs.

69. The City Centre Maintenance Working Group (including staff from AT, Waste Solutions and the Development Programme Office) has been reconvened; this Group will undertake monthly audits of streetscape assets. Issues will be dealt with by contract managers.

70. We are investigating a system whereby a higher level of service is employed around major events such as WMG2017.

Delivery

Britomart Streetscapes - Stage 1: Galway Street (west)

71. Completed on 25 November 2016.

Britomart Streetscapes - Stage 2: Galway Street (east)

72. Discussions are now underway between Cooper and Company, Auckland Council and Auckland Transport regarding a funding agreement and procurement approach for Stage 2: eastern most end of Galway St. Design is underway, with construction anticipated to start early-March 2017.

Ellen Melville Centre and Freyberg Place Upgrade

73. Construction has begun on the concrete terraces with most of the concrete pours scheduled for December.

74. The contractor is installing high voltage ducting for future Vector infrastructure, which supports growth in the High Street district.

75. The construction of the shared space on Courthouse Lane has begun.

76. There will be no vehicle access to O’Connell Street from early January until mid-February to enable a raised table to be constructed at the intersection of Courthouse Lane, Chancery Street and O’Connell Street. The Activate Auckland team will lead a programme of activities in O’Connell Street while the road is closed.

77. The demolition activities within the Ellen Melville Centre will be complete by early December.

Myers Park Upgrade – Stage 2

78. The Stage 2 upgrade is now being delivered in two separate workstreams.

79. Construction of the splash pad is being led by Community Facilities. The construction contract has been awarded and work is expected to begin on December 5th with a planned completion date before the end of Feb 2017.

80. The stormwater detention tank, major public art work and entrance upgrades are being led by DPO and programmed to be under construction from mid-March 2017 to Nov 2017.

Karangahape Road Streetscape Enhancement and Cycleway

81. AT, NZTA and Auckland Council sought feedback from mid-October until 20 November on this project which includes the creation of a cycleway and enhancements to the footpath and road environment.

82. 1680 pieces of feedback have been received. Analysis of the feedback is currently being undertaken with initial results expected by mid-December. A full report will be completed by February 2017.

Federal Street upgrade – Stage 2

83. A project lead has been appointed and early stakeholder engagement has commenced for the section between Mayoral Drive and Wellesley Street.

84. A design team is likely to be appointed in early 2017, with the tender to be let in December 2016.

85. Discussions are underway with St Matthews Church regarding design integration between the streetscape upgrade and the church grounds.

Hobson and Nelson Street upgrade

86. The procurement plan for professional services has been distributed to reviewers for comment.

87. Discussions are progressing with the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) development team, regarding the public realm improvements on Hobson and Nelson Street around the new facility.

88. Initial staging of the streetscape upgrades will be aligned with construction of the NZICC, indicating a potential construction start in 2017.

Beach Road Maori Artwork

89. Resource consent has been granted for five bronze sculptures of working waka prow that will be located on the existing “waka plinths” between Britomart Place and Tangihua Street.

90. The sculptures are planned to be installed in April 2017 and will coincide with work on remedial planting.

O’Connell Street Public Art

91. The suspended artwork for O’Connell Street, following completion of the shared space, is progressing with funding from the City Centre Targeted Rate.

92. The structural feasibility study has been completed and has been provided to the owners of 5 and 10 O’Connell St, along with a license agreement to allow the art works to be attached to their buildings, for them to consider.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

93. The Waitemata Local Board has been engaged with on all City Centre projects that are actively progressing. Specific engagement with the board is included in the project plans for individual projects. The board is generally supportive of the direction being taken.

Māori impact statement

94. Monthly hui are being held throughout 2016 with iwi representatives, with the purpose of seeking mana whenua input into the scoping and design process of City Centre projects.

95. The most recent hui was held in November 2016.

Implementation

96. Prior to the implementation of City Centre projects and initiatives, regular meetings and workshops are held with many stakeholders including the Waitemata Local Board, Heart of the City, K Road Business Association, Learning Quarter stakeholders, iwi and the appropriate Auckland Council committee.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Author	Catherine Edmeades - Development Programmes Lead
Authoriser	Ralph Webster - Manager Development Programmes

Auckland City Centre Advisory Board

07 December 2016

Proposal for Queen Street Feature Lighting

File No.: CP2016/24224

Purpose

1. To present a place making proposal to light the trees and poles in Queen Street, from Customs Street to Mayoral Drive.

2. To seek approval in principle for City Centre Targeted Rate (CCTR) funding to contribute approximately $300K (~37.5% of the set up costs), subject to finalising the budget and logistics prior to the ACCAB meeting in February 2017.

Executive summary

3. A creative concept has been developed to light Queen Street’s 118 trees and 70 street poles from the Customs Street East intersection through to Mayoral Drive.

4. This concept has been developed following work by Heart of the City to consider an impactful and sustainable way to dress the city in future years for the Christmas festive period as well as a means of celebrating other occasions in the city throughout each year.

5. The lighting concept builds on the importance of Queen Street, which provides the prime connection from the waterfront through the city centre’s golden mile – national and international retailers, the financial and business district, laneways and adjacent precincts. Queen Street also provides an international shop window for the growing number of cruise ship visitors arriving on the waterfront.

6. The concept supports the need to retain the city’s vibrancy during the extended period of construction. With Albert Street seriously impacted by the City Rail development, along with Lower Queen and Commercial Bay, Queen Street is critical for the city centre economy and overall appeal for people working, living and visiting the city. With the city centre contributing around $13B pa to the region’s economy, it is vital its contribution is maintained throughout the massive period of investment underway over the next five plus years.

7. The set up cost for the lighting project is estimated at ~$800K with annual ongoing costs of approximately 5% of the set up costs.

8. Heart of the City has committed in principle to contributing $300K to the project (~37.5% of the set up costs, subject to finalising the budget and logistics, and securing the remaining funding) as a “seed fund” contribution to a significant place making initiative for the city centre at a critical time in its development.

9. Private sector sponsorship is being sought to provide $200K (~25% of the set up funding).

10. Subject to securing this funding, the aim is to deliver the project in time for the Lions Tour and Matariki in June 2017. Queen Street lighting could offer an additional sense of welcome to international visitors and showcase the city centre as part of a wider community lighting initiative (for example, with a co-ordinated approach including the Cycle Pathway, Sky Tower, Auckland Art Gallery and the Civic Building).

Recommendation/s

That the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board:

a) support in principle the allocation of approximately $300K of City Centre Targeted Rate funding to the Queen Street Lighting project, subject to finalising the budget and logistics prior to the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board meeting in February 2017.

Comments

11. Auckland is developing as an international city with a growing number of people living, visiting and working in the city centre. It has a high quality and diverse dining, events, retail and arts and culture offering that is constantly evolving. Perceptions of Auckland’s city centre as an exciting and vibrant destination have been growing in recent years.

12. The city centre is undergoing major change and will look very different in five years. It is important to retain these vibrant perceptions and motivations to visit through this period of development.

13. The Queen Street lights would add vibrancy to the evolving city landscape and create a new opportunity to celebrate Christmas and other occasions throughout the year in a way that is sustainable in terms of ongoing management and logistics. Occasions that could be celebrated include:

· Christmas

· New Year (celebrating Auckland as the first international city to see in the new year)

· Hallmark events and occasions, recognising diverse communities such as Chinese New Year, Diwali, Anzac Day, sporting events (eg Lions Tour) etc.

14. The Christmas/New Year period is becoming an increasingly lively time in the city centre and the growth of tourism is extending the shoulder season. Christmas is an important time for retail and hospitality businesses, and also in terms of creating a festive atmosphere and sense of occasion for people living, working and visiting the city.

15. Christmas has been celebrated in the city centre for many years and since 2007, Heart of the City has become the focal point for delivering Christmas-related activities. This is supplemented by private sector businesses who make their own festive contributions (including Mansons’ installation of the giant Santa) and this year, a joint initiative to deliver the LEGO Christmas tree in Aotea Square.

16. Heart of the City’s members are property owners, business owners, occupants and tenants of commercially rated buildings that sit within its city centre boundary. Its prime mission is to champion a successful city centre economy and it recognises that to achieve this, the heart of the city must be an inviting and vibrant destination that Aucklanders can feel proud of and enjoy.

17. Informal feedback on the Queen Street lighting concept has been sought from a number of public and private sector stakeholders in the city centre. This has been overwhelmingly positive, with the benefits of creating atmosphere and ambience in Queen Street acknowledged.

18. The lights would add to the appeal of the city centre and create a positive impression for locals and visitors alike. Growing, successful cities have a vibrant heart and the lights would add to the vibrancy, helping to create an environment that is inviting, with an international feel, and that attracts people to the city centre to participate in what is on offer.

19. Heart of the City has also had feedback from members that the city should do more to celebrate Christmas and support business during the extended period of construction.

20. Lighting Queen Street would add a new dimension to the current Christmas programme as well as providing new opportunities throughout the year.

21. International cities recognise the importance of Christmas. For example, Sydney works with a number of partners in addition to allocating Council rates and in 2014 spent $1.925 million on the Christmas programme and theming the central city; and Melbourne spent $3.78 million in 2015.

Opportunities

22. The city centre is forecast to grow faster than other parts of Auckland over the next 30 years, both in terms of employment and education roll growth.

23. Residential growth is strong, with nearly 40,000 people now living in the city centre, which is 10 years ahead of growth projections.

24. The visitor economy is also forecast to grow strongly, with international visitor arrivals forecast at 3.1 million by 2021 (up from 2.4 million in 2016). Improving the visitor experience, with more things to do and see, along with a quality urban experience, will be important to support this growth.

25. There will also be a focus on high-value visitors (eg super yachts and cruise passengers), all of whom arrive in the city centre, with Queen Street an important point of welcome.

26. Enhancing the appeal of Queen Street will add to the city centre experience. Queen Street has a five-star hotel opening in 2017, with the Sofitel to follow shortly after in Customs Street East. Attracting further investment to the city is important to support the high growth levels, along with new brands and events, and the city centre is a visible part of the city’s offering. The New Zealand International Convention Centre is scheduled to open in 2019, and Commercial Bay in 2018/19, bringing more people to the city centre.

27. Queen Street and its adjacent laneways are currently quite dark at night and this initiative would help to brighten the area, potentially enhancing security.

28. Taking the lights all the way to Mayoral Drive fits with the evolving Aotea Arts precinct and adjacent Aotea Station.

29. Over time it is anticipated that other public and private sector initiatives would be introduced to further enhance the Queen Street lights, for example lighting heritage buildings and activating the surrounding laneways.

30. There are potential enhancements to the lights that could be added over time (eg ambient sound to support specific occasions and add a further point of difference for Auckland’s city centre).

Challenges

31. Queen Street currently has a number of challenges that require attention. ACCAB has recognised this and recently endorsed the allocation of $2M of CCTR funding to the upgrade of James Liston Hostel for emerging housing in the city centre.

32. Further work is required and Heart of the City is driving discussions with Council to seek further improvements to Queen Street. It is not envisaged that these initiatives will require CCTR funding.

Proposal

33. The following table sets out the proposed funding model.

	Cost hare	Approx. funding
Heart of the City	~37.5%	~$300k
Commercial Sponsor	~25.0%	~$200k
City Centre Targeted Rate	~37.5%	~$300k
Total (estimated)	100%	~$800k

34. Heart of the City operates a ‘seed funding’ model to get new initiatives off the ground and the ongoing maintenance of the lighting equipment would need to be managed by Auckland Council or Auckland Transport, with Heart of the City providing input to the ongoing lighting schedule to align with specific events planned for the city centre. These details need to be worked through with Council officers as part of the project implementation.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

35. Queen Street is within the Waitemata Local Board area. The Deputy Chair of the Waitemata Local Board is the board’s representative on Heart of the City’s Executive Committee and the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board.

Māori impact statement

36. Specific opportunities have not yet been explored with iwi but the launch of the lights could potentially be timed with a celebration of Matariki in June 2017. This timing coincides with the Lions Tour, with Auckland games scheduled on 7 and 24 June and 8 July 2017.

Implementation

37. If this project is supported by ACCAB, the allocation of funding will require approval by Council’s Finance and Performance Committee.

38. Production will need to commence early in March 2017 for installation in late May 2017.

39. Auckland Transport has confirmed the proposed lighting equipment will not cause load issues for the Queen Street poles.

40. Further investigation is underway about the intensity of light and location adjacent to traffic lights. The project will ensure any requirements are met.

41. An agreement will be developed between Auckland Council and Heart of the City to deliver this project in conjunction with the commercial sponsor. This will include agreement regarding:

a. Promotional rights

b. Ongoing ownership and maintenance of the Queen Street lighting equipment

c. Ongoing activation programme for the Queen Street lights.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Author	Viv Beck –Chief Executive - Heart of the City
Authoriser	Ralph Webster - Manager Development Programmes

Auckland City Centre Advisory Board

07 December 2016

Review of the 2015-25 DRAFT City Centre Programme of Work

File No.: CP2016/23692

Purpose

1. The purpose of this paper is to provide a copy of the draft City Centre Targeted Rate Programme of Work (TR6) to the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board (ACCAB) for review and discussion at the December 2016 meeting.

Executive Summary

2. The ACCAB previously endorsed the City Centre Programme of Work (TR5) at the May 2016 meeting.

3. The City Centre Programme of Work is reviewed, updated and discussed with the ACCAB on a 6 monthly basis to respond to any significant changes or new proposals.

4. The next version of the City Centre Programme of Work is TR6 and is provided as a draft for members of the board to review and discuss at the December ACCAB meeting. It will be brought to the February meeting for endorsement, subject to recommendations made at the December meeting.

5. The review has also updated the work programme to include recent ACCAB endorsed changes to project budgets and proposes some timing adjustments to projects, to maintain positive cash balance in the CCTR account at all times.

6. Depreciation and consequential opex for 2016/17 - 2018/19 is included in the summary and means that there is less budget allocated to capital projects over those years. From 2019/20 there is no depreciation or consequential opex funded by the CCTR so the full rate collected will be spent on capital projects and funding programmes.

Recommendation/s

That the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board:

a) review the updated City Centre Programme of Work (TR6) for the current proposed targeted rate funded projects (for the FY16/17 – FY24/25 period).

Comments

7. The updated City Centre Programme of Work (TR6) (Attachment A) is a combination of projects that are included in the 2015-25 LTP as well as proposed new projects and initiatives and is intended to provide a 10 year view of the upcoming work in the City Centre. It informs the ACCAB, Council and CCOs on the proposed projects, delivery timeframes and unallocated CCTR on a year by year basis.

8. The City Centre Programme of Work will enable the Council and CCOs to proactively plan and appropriately resource teams to deliver the projects identified.

9. This is a draft of a regular six-monthly review of the City Centre Programme of Work. There are some significant changes proposed since the last update endorsed in May 2016.

10. In particular, there are changes to the allocation of budget as a result of funding decisions made by ACCAB over the past four months, such as additional budget to complete the Myers Park Stage 2 upgrade and the contribution of $2 million towards the upgrade of the James Liston Hostel.

11. There are three new proposals introduced in this work programme:

· $300,000 for City Feature Lighting;

· $500,000 for Smart Cities; and

· $1,000,000 for Cycle Share.

Previously Endorsed Budget Changes

12. Myers Park Stage 2: A budget increase was endorsed by ACCAB in August 2016 to pay for the further additions to the project.

13. Homelessness: A $2,000,000 grant to the James Liston Hostel Trust was endorsed by ACCAB in August and approved by Finance and Performance Committee in September 2016.

Rationale for New Proposals

14. City Feature Lighting ($300,000): Heart of the City is leading a proposal to install a network of lights that will project light on street trees and poles along Queen Street. The total cost to deliver the project is estimated at $800,000 and a contribution of $300,000 is sought from the City Centre Targeted Rate. The lighting has the potential to transform the City Centre in the evening and provide a point of difference for Auckland. Please see separate report from Heart of the City on this item

15. Smart Cities ($500,000): This is a proposal to bolster Auckland City Centre’s capacity in integrated information and communication technology (ICT) and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, to manage the city's assets. The primary objective of the Smart City programme will be implementing a suite of initiatives that will improve the efficiency of services and allow Council and the Community to monitor city infrastructure; what is happening in the city and how the city is evolving, to meet business, residents and visitor needs. Through the use of sensors integrated with real-time monitoring systems, data collected, then processed and analyzed will assist decision making on:

· operational and tactical coordination,

· strategy implementation; and

· project delivery.

If the proposal is supported in principle by ACCAB, a full business case will be brought to the board in February.

16. Cycle Share ($1,000,000): Auckland Transport is committed to investigating the feasibility of introducing a cycle share proposal for the City Centre. If a business case is approved, the cycle share scheme would be prioritised for delivery in the 2018-21 programme, to maximise the benefit of investment in new cycleways due to be completed by 2018. The business case will determine the preferred delivery model of the programme and the extent of funding required from the City Centre Targeted Rate so this sum is included as a placeholder in the interim.

Rationale for Budget Reductions

17. Poynton Terrace ($950,000 decrease): The scope of the upgrade to Poynton Terrace has been costed and is less than anticipated. Materials purchased prior to the project going on hold in 2015 have been located, reducing the cost to complete the project considerably.

18. Quay Street Enhancements ($2,000,000 decrease): The Quay Street upgrade sits in the last two years of this budget. Additional budget could be applied to the upgrade if the application of the City Centre Targeted Rate is continued beyond 2025.

19. Communications ($300,000 decrease): The sum of $250,000 for 2016/17 will not be fully committed so it has been adjusted to $100,000 for this financial year and reduced to $200,000 for the following three financial years.

20. O’Connell Street ($387,724 decrease): This is savings from the O’Connell Street Upgrade and has been reallocated across other projects in this budget review.

Summary of key budget variances

21. Table 1 is a summary of the key funding adjustments for projects that have been made since the last issue (TR5). Attachment B provides a line by line assessment of the variations proposed.

Project	Funding change	Total CCTR Funding	Reason
Myers Park Stage 2	$1,832,172 increase	$6,101,333	Rescope
Homelessness	$2,000,000 increase	$2,000,000	New initiative
City Feature Lighting	$300,000 increase	$300,000	New initiative
Cycle Share	$1,000,000 increase	$1,000,000	New initiative
Destination Marketing (K Rd)	$325,000 increase	$400,000	Rescope
Smart Cities	$500,000 increase	$500,000	New initiative
Beresford Square	$2,000,000 increase	$3,000,000	Rescope
Learning Quarter	$200,000 increase	$5,000,000	Reinstatement
Poynton Terrace	$950,000 decrease	$550,000	Rescope
Quay St Upgrade	$2,000,000 decrease	$23,000,000	Cash flow
Communications	$300,000 decrease	$1,950,000	Cash flow
O’Connell Street	$387,724 decrease	$246,124	Savings

Table 1: Proposed CCTR funding changes for projects

22. The budget phasing for the Learning Quarter is significantly different from the last update. The current programme of work is focused on improvements to Albert Park. Once there is further clarity around the University of Auckland’s development plans and the role of Princes Street in the East-West bus network, additional projects will be identified. In the interim, budget has been phased over an additional two years.

23. Depreciation and consequential opex is being gradually phased out between 2016/17 and 2018/19. There is less budget allocated to capital projects over those years. From 2019/20 there is no depreciation or consequential opex funded by the CCTR so the full rate collected will be spent on capital projects.

24. The City Centre Programme of Work will continue to be reviewed on a 6 monthly basis or as required to ensure that the programme reflects changing requirements and the dynamic nature of the city centre over the next 9 years as significant public and private projects are undertaken and completed.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

25. Due to the timing of the electoral period commencing, this draft review of the City Centre Programme of Work has not been discussed with the Waitematā Local Board (WLB). Consultation with the WLB will also occur on projects as they are designed and constructed.

Māori impact statement

26. The City Centre Programme of Work will form part of the consultation and engagement at ongoing DPO Hui that are held with mana whenua.

Implementation

27. Feedback on this draft budget is being sought from ACCAB members and will be incorporated into a final version of the City Centre Programme of Work (TR6) which will be brought to the February 2017 ACCAB meeting for endorsement.

28. Budget changes will be then be taken to the Finance and Performance Committee for approval and included in the Long Term Plan.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	DRAFT City Centre Targeted Rate Programme of Work (TR6)	27
b ⇩	Comparison Sheet - DRAFT City Centre Targeted Rate Work Programme	29

Signatories

Author	Catherine Edmeades - Development Programmes Lead
Authoriser	Ralph Webster - Manager Development Programmes

		City Centre Stakeholder
Chairperson	Kate Healy	Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei
Deputy Chairperson	John Coop	Urban design/institute of architects
Members	Viv Beck	Business Improvement District
	Greg Cohen	Tourism/Travel
	Shale Chambers	Waitemata Local Board, Auckland Council
	Terry Cornelius, JP, FCA	Retail sector
	Jillian de Beer	Arts and Cultural Sector
	Andrew Gaukrodger	Corporate sector including financial and other professional services
	Stephen Greenfield	City Centre Residents Group
	Mayor Hon Phil Goff, JP	Auckland Council
	Mark Kingsford	Corporate sector including financial and other professional services
	Mike Lee	Liaison councillor, Auckland Council
	Amy Malcolm	Tertiary Education (University of Auckland & Auckland University of Technology)
	Nigel Murphy	Tertiary Education (University of Auckland & Auckland University of Technology)
	Adam Parkinson	City Centre Residents Group
	Michael Richardson	Business Improvement District
	Alex Voutratzis	Property Council of NZ
	Sky City representative (To be confirmed)	Tourism/Travel

Author	John Fellows – Design Manager Architecture
Authoriser	Ralph Webster - Manager Development Programmes

Author	Barbara Holloway – Specialist Activation Designer
Authoriser	Ralph Webster - Manager Development Programmes