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Auckland City
Centre Advisory Board
19 July 2017
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City Centre
Progress Update Report - to 10 July 2017
File No.: CP2017/13717
Purpose
1. To update the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board (the board) on
progress on City Centre projects and initiatives to 10 July 2017.
2. The
report provides a high-level overview of progress on projects and initiatives
in the City Centre, including:
· Programming
Activities
· Operations
· Delivery
Projects
For physical project delivery, a coloured
bar shows the three stages of development:
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 Feasibility /
Investigation
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Design /
Consultation
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Construction
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An
arrow then shows what stage the
project is currently at.
Executive
summary (highlights)
Britomart Streetscapes - Stage
2: Galway Street East
3. Completion
within the next fortnight.
Ellen Melville Centre and
Freyberg Place Upgrade
4. Completion
within the month. Opening ceremony scheduled for mid-September.
Karangahape Road Streetscape
Enhancement and Cycleway
5. Design
team has been appointed and the design process is now underway.
Federal Street Upgrade –
stage 2
6. Concept
design is underway. The project will be delivered alongside the
contra-flow cycle project, running the full length of Federal Street.
Homelessness policy work
7. The
Community and Social Policy Department is working towards a report on
council’s future approach to homelessness. The policy team will be
presenting at the July board meeting.
Midtown implementation
strategy
8. Based
on extensive feedback from public consultation, Auckland Transport has
developed a cross-over option for routing eastbound isthmus buses within the City
Centre. This will be workshopped with the board in August.
Wynyard Quarter and Central
Wharves Frameworks
9. This
will be workshopped with the board in August.
Learning Quarter
10. The
Vice Chancellors and Chief Executives met on 3 July. Significant Albert Park
improvements are on track for completion by year end. Small scale tactical
urban initiatives being planned around Auckland University of
Technology’s Engineering Block are opening later this year.
Activate Auckland
11. Activate
Auckland, in partnership with City Rail Link and Albert Street businesses,
present EAT ALBERT STREET on Thursday 10th August, 6-9pm. This will be an evening
enjoying food and entertainment on Albert Street, as part of Heart of the
City’s annual Restaurant Month.
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Recommendation/s
That the Auckland City Centre
Advisory Board:
a) receive
the City Centre progress report update to 10 July 2017.
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Comments
Programming
Overall City Centre Planning
12. There
is significant work is underway to integrate critical planning elements for the
City Centre, to develop an integrated implementation programme as part of the
Long-term Plan refresh for 2018. This includes an update to the implementation
strategy for key City Centre Master Plan transformational programmes in midtown
and downtown precincts, as well as other key areas across the City Centre.
13. The
work is being coordinated through the City Centre Governance framework and will
be finalised in time for the political engagement process for the Long-term
Plan, which commences end of August 2017. In the lead up to this, the City
Centre team will be looking to workshop the key elements of this planning with
Councillors and the boar. A board workshop on Wynyard Quarter and the Central
Wharves will be scheduled in August 2017.
Wynyard Quarter Framework
14. Recommendations
based on the Wynyard Quarter Framework Plan were submitted to the Panuku Board
in mid-May and the City Centre Programme Control Group and Executive Steering
Group at the end of May/early-June, where it was agreed that recommendations
should be workshopped with the Planning Committee
15. The
Framework Plan and implementation options were due to be workshopped with the
Planning Committee in mid-June, before going to the 4 July committee meeting,
however the workshop dates have been pushed back to early-August to align with
a wider conversation on the waterfront including plans for the Port. Once the
direction and intent of the Wynyard Quarter Framework Plan has been endorsed by
the Planning Committee, work can continue on the implementation programme and
funding proposals.
16. This
will form part of the City Centre and Waterfront prioritisation process to
enable cross-council understanding of the interdependence of a vast range of
projects to be put forward for the 2018-2028 Long-term Plan.
17. The
Headland Park arrangement and timing will be informed by the Wynyard Quarter
framework plan and Long-term Plan funding (the park is currently unfunded). A
decision still needs to be made on a signature public building in the park;
this decision will be informed by the framework plan and confirmed by Planning
Committee.
Central Wharves Framework
18. The
Central Wharves Strategy has been progressed to a point where it is now reliant
on discussions between councillors and Ports of Auckland Limited on the future
of the Port to inform the next phases of work. Work to date has focused on
progressing two options in parallel, each based on a different assumption:
· Assume
that Captain Cook Wharf is likely to be available for a cruise terminal in the
medium term and continue to progress the Framework Plan on that basis.
· Assume
that Captain Cook Wharf will not be available for a cruise terminal while it
continues to be required for freight use and progress the Framework Plan by
investigating other options to accommodate cruise growth.
19. Within
both of these options, sub-options were also explored taking into account what
can be achieved with and without wharf extensions.
20. As
part of the development of the Framework Plan, ATEED have commissioned Market
Economics to peer-review the cruise scenarios produced for the Cruise Action
Plan and subsequently modified for the Queens Wharf mooring dolphin, and to
model the scenarios on a similar basis to that used for the Cruise New Zealand
Economic Impacts report.
21. The
Central Wharves Framework will provide part of the context to a wider
discussion on the waterfront at the 7 August Planning Committee workshop
Downtown Framework
22. Work
is underway to refresh the Downtown Framework (2014) to link the City Centre
and the Waterfront. The refresh of the framework will consider high quality
public realm outcomes and will align with and integrate the City Centre
Transport Network outcomes, recent and planned development investment, and the
Central Wharves Strategy to create a cohesive and integrated vision for the downtown
precinct.
23. This
work is being progressed by a cross-council team, reporting through to the City
Centre Programme Control Group and Executive Steering Group to ensure alignment
at all levels across the council family. An integrated implementation plan will
be workshopped with the Planning Committee and the board in August 2017
Midtown Implementation
Strategy
24. Based
on feedback from public consultation, Auckland Transport has developed a
cross-over option for routing eastbound isthmus buses within the City Centre.
25. A
cross-council team is developing a comprehensive implementation strategy for
midtown which enables delivery of key City Centre Master Plan transformation
projects and the requirements for increased public transport within the city.
This vision and implementation strategy will be workshopped with the Planning
Committee and the board in August. Further public feedback on the combined
plan, which will include detailed designs for the Midtown bus option and how to
create vibrant public spaces together with the bus infrastructure, will be
sought thereafter.
Learning Quarter
26. A
project schedule is in place for the Albert Park improvement projects.
The plan and schedule is included with these papers.
27. The
Learning Quarter Vice Chancellors/Chief Executives Quarterly Forum was held on
3 July 2017.
28. The
Mid Town East West Public Transport Study project team has identified a
preferred option for further investigation. Auckland Transport will
present this option to the board at its August meeting.
29. The
Learning Quarter Working Group, comprising of Auckland Council, Auckland
University of Technology, and the University of Auckland, will next meet on 25
July 2017.
Homelessness
30. No
written update since the June City Centre update report, included below for
reference. The Community and Social Policy team will be presenting at the
July board meeting.
31. The
Community Empowerment Unit has been progressing discussion with the Auckland
City Mission around the feasibility of installing storage lockers specifically
for rough sleepers in the City Centre. The lockers were to be managed by the
Auckland City Mission and a potential site had emerged on the St Matthews in
the City church grounds.However, the discussions have highlighted that the
significant resource requirements on the Auckland City Mission to manage the
service, combined with the organisation’s upcoming move to new premises
to enable development of their existing site, means that the storage locker
pilot is not currently feasible. There is potentially an opportunity to support
the Auckland City Mission in trialing the installation of storage lockers
within their new premises. This is for Auckland City Mission to determine and
they will keep us informed as appropriate.
32. At
a strategic level, the Community Empowerment Unit is highlighting the
opportunity for public amenities in the City Centre to be considered by the new
City Centre and Waterfront governance framework. This aligns with the feedback
we have received from the sector, rough sleepers themselves, the Rough Sleeping
Steering Group and the Community and Development Safety Committee that
highlights responses which enhance public amenities that are accessible to all
are preferential.
33. James
Liston Hostel have advised that refurbishment designs are close to being
finalised and the intention is to apply for resource consent and building
consent in the near future with construction beginning approximately January
2018. Leigh Redshaw, Strategic Funding Advisor, Community and Social Policy is
attending the fortnightly project control group to represent council and ensure
contractual obligations are met in respect of the $2 million investment of the
City Centre Targeted Rate.
34. Auckland
Council’s Affordable Housing Policy Team, in the Community and Social
Policy Department, is undertaking policy work on homelessness. This work
involves reviewing the literature (including international case studies),
interviewing key informants, describing what council and other agencies
currently do, and assessing available levers in order to identify option for
council’s position and potential role in addressing homelessness.
35. The
work will inform council’s future approach to homelessness. A report will
be presented to the Environment and Community Committee on 8 August 2017. The
proposed timeframe has been extended to allow more engagement with Local
Boards.
Activate Auckland
36. The
development response group has submitted a proposal to the City Centre &
Waterfront Programme Control Group. This proposal outlines a series of work
streams and actions to support Auckland through its construction boom and
mitigate the impacts of major development. It has been agreed that a risk
registered will be created based on current developments across the City Centre
and monthly reports will be provided to the Programme Control Group.
37. Activate
Auckland in partnership with City Rail Link and Albert Street restaurants,
cafes and retailers present EAT ALBERT STREET on
Thursday 10th August, 6-9pm. This will be an
evening enjoying food and entertainment on Albert Street as part of Heart of
the City’s annual Restaurant Month. It will include opera performances, a
free community meal at the Griffiths Gardens, Peacock Dancing in Food Alley, Burlesque
Dancers at the Shakespeare Hotel, free hot drinks from Little Albert
Café, an edible floral event at Roma Blooms and much more.
38. PlaceKit
is progressing well with the detailed design phase almost complete. We are
working with lighting designer Angus Muir to deliver internally lit modules.
Prototypes are due in September. We are working on the programming of the kit
into various projects across the City Centre, in collaboration with Auckland
Transport, Panuku and City Rail Link.
39. The
‘For Love of Bees Project’ funded by
Activate Auckland, which imagines Auckland as the safest city in the world for
bees has been growing rapidly. Some of the key projects from For the Love of Bees are:
· Lunchtime Learning:
Free weekly workshops held in The Griffiths Gardens, 42 Wellesley Street West, which
educate the public on various approaches to sustainability and biological
gardening.
· Bee School: Free
workshops hosted by professional beekeepers that educate the public on
sustainable beekeeping practices. Held every first Sunday of the month in
Victoria Park’s Campbell Free Historic Kindergarten. Up to 60 people have been
attending each session so far.
· South Auckland Bee Project:
The South Auckland
Bee Project is an ongoing collaboration with SouthSci that
brings students from Aorere
College, Tangaroa College, Ormiston College and Kauri Flats Primary
to engage with BeezThingz’
high-tech bee monitoring technology and collaborate on sustainable science
projects in Auckland’s city centre.
· Bees in Parks: For the Love of Bees in
collaboration with BeezThingz
has installed three high-tech, monitored beehives in Victoria Park and an
additional three hives in Myers Park.
· Biking Bee Adventure:
The Biking Bee
Adventure is seasonal event that invites members of the public to
cycle to various bee-friendly locations across Central Auckland with free
food, music, sustainability classes and entertainment. The winter biking bee
attracted 55 participants.
Cycle Network
40. Quay
Street segment of the Tamaki Drive Cycleway:
Construction has been delayed due to the resource consent application being
notified.
41. Nelson
Street Cycleway: Works have started on the section of the Nelson Street
Cycleway from Victoria Street to Pakenham Street East in Market Place, and Pitt
Street from Beresford Square to Hobson Street. The final section to Quay
Street is currently in design and is due for public consultation this winter.
42. Westhaven
to City (Stage 1): Construction of this
project will commence in early Spring.
43. Westhaven
to City (Stage 2): The preferred option is a
bi-directional cycleway on Market Place. Customs Street West and Lower Hobson
Street. General traffic on the Market Place section would be restricted to one
direction. It will provide a link for people on bikes of all ages and abilities
between the cycleways on Nelson Street and Quay Street. Public
consultation is scheduled for June. Construction is anticipated to follow
in September.
44. Midtown
cycleway (Victoria Street): Detailed design
will shortly start on this project with construction expected in 2018.
45. Tamaki
Drive cycleway: Consultation on this project was completed
in June and there is significant feedback to work through. A decision on
the project is expected in early Spring.
Wynyard Quarter Redevelopment
46. No
new update this month. June’s update is included below for
reference.
47. Works
continue on Madden Street (between Daldy and Sanfords) and Gaunt Street
(between Daldy and Bus Depot entrance). Works are to build new in-ground
infrastructure to support the higher density residential and commercial land
use, build sustainable stormwater solutions and high amenity streetscapes.
48. The
work on Madden Street is being carried out by Panuku Development Auckland and
the upgrade to Gaunt Street is an Auckland Transport project. Both projects
will be completed early September 2017.
49. The Precinct and Willis Bond commercial and residential construction
projects continue. Precinct GridAKL at 10 Madden Street is the next to be
completed with a formal opening earmarked September 2017.
Operations
50. The
Business Strategy and Architecture Group is developing job the description for
the project manager/business analyst to deliver the procurement strategy for
the Smart Cities pedestrian monitoring work. Auckland Transport have
secured budget and Auckland Council and Auckland Transport will be working
together on the delivery.
51. The
City Centre Report Card is will be discussed at the July board meeting.
52. Further
remediation work to be carried out on Beach Road planted areas.
53. GIS
team in final stages of securing the interface between Auckland Council
consents and Land Information New Zealand’s Forward Works Viewer
platform. This will provide enhanced information, on surrounding works,
to anyone working within the road reserve.
Delivery
Lower Queen Street &
Albert Street Reinstatement upgrades
54. The
City Rail Link team presented updated concepts for Albert Street to the board,
outlining several options for where and how the Targeted Rate contribution of
$20 million could be utilised – the concepts were well received and the
board endorsed the allocation of funding as outlined in the presentation.
55. The
City Rail Link team presented the latest designs for Lower Queen Street to the
Council Projects Design Review Panel on 1 May 2017. The Auckland Design
Office and City Rail Link have worked through the feedback from the design
panel, and updated board at its June meeting
Britomart Streetscapes - Stage
2: Galway Street (east)
56. The
project is planned to be completed by end of July 2017.
SkyPath - Stage 2
57. No
update since the June update report; included for reference.
58. 1
June 2017, capital budget for amenity works and moving the marina maintenance
yard at the southern landing of SkyPath, and realignment of a path at the
northern landing of SkyPath, was approved (subject to the Annual Budget being
signed off by Governing Body on 29 June 2017), as part of the Major’s
Annual Budget 2017/18.
59. Since
April 2017, the private sector party (the PIP Fund) has reached out to a number
of major construction companies, more than five parties are interested in
becoming the construction partner for SkyPath. The PIP Fund is in dialogue with
these companies and a builder is expected to be on board in winter 2017.
Ellen Melville Centre and
Freyberg Place Upgrade
60. Freyberg
Place: The concrete terraces are near completion
with good progress being made on the last terrace. Paving is nearly
complete. Street furniture will be installed and planting within the
Square carried out imminently.
61. Ellen
Melville Centre: Plasterboard lining, stopping and
painting is continuing on all levels inside the building. The Lisa Reihana
artwork is under construction off site and will be installed at the end of the
project. The tukutuku panels will be reinstated inside the Pioneer
Women’s Hall for the project opening.
62. A
number of issues have been encountered during construction, which have impacted
on the final completion date. Contractors are working towards a late
July/early August completion timeframe. The opening is scheduled for
mid-September.
Myers Park
Upgrade – Stage 2
63. Business
case and technical reviews are still underway.
Karangahape Rd Streetscape Enhancement
& Cycleway
64. Beca
and Landlab have been appointed as the design team. And the design process is
underway.
Poynton Terrace
65. Development
of business case underway including review of scope, budget and programme.
Federal
Street upgrade – Stage 2
66. The
concept design is in progress with the initial findings presented to the
Waitematā Local Board on 4 July. The project is to be delivered in
close coordination with the contra-flow cycle project along the length of
Federal Street.
67. A
workshop with mana whenua is planned for 14 July.
Hobson and Nelson Street
upgrade
68. Auckland
Transport undertaking further traffic modelling along the two streets.
69. Senior
management discussing terms with New Zealand International Convention Centre.
Beach Road
Maori Artwork
70. 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.
71. The
sculptures will be cast at the rate of one per month over the next five months
and installation is planned to occur in September.
O’Connell
Street Public Art
72. The
Arts and Culture team have secured license agreements with the building owners
on O’Connell Street, to allow the artwork to be attached to their
buildings. The resource consent application is underway.
73. The
artwork is planned to be installed in early 2018.
Consideration
Local
board views and implications
74. Engagement
with the Waitematā Local Board has occurred 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
75. Monthly hui are being held throughout 2017 with iwi representatives, with
the purpose of seeking mana whenua input into the scoping and design process of
City Centre projects.
Implementation
76. Prior to the implementation of City Centre projects and initiatives,
regular meetings and workshops are held with many stakeholders including the
Waitematā Local Board, Heart of the City, K Road Business Association,
Learning Quarter stakeholders, iwi and the appropriate Auckland Council
committee(s).
Attachments
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No.
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Title
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Page
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a⇩ 
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Albert Park project plan
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15
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b⇩
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Albert Park project table
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19
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Signatories
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Author
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Emma Taylor - Development Programmes Lead
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Authoriser
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Barry Potter - Director Infrastructure and
Environmental Services
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