Agenda of Auckland City Centre Advisory Board

I hereby give notice that an ordinary meeting of the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board will be held on:

Date:

Time:

Meeting Room:

Venue:

Monday, 27 September 2021

3.00pm

This meeting will be held remotely and a recording of the meeting will be available on the Auckland Council website

Ngā Hui a te Poari Kaitohutohu mō te Pokapū o Te Tāone Nui o Tāmaki Makaurau /

Auckland City Centre Advisory Board

OPEN AGENDA

MEMBERSHIP

Chairperson	Mr Andrew Gaukrodger	Corporate sector
Deputy Chairperson	Mr James Mooney	Urban design/institute of architects
Members	Ms Viv Beck	Business Improvement District
	Ms Noelene Buckland	City Centre Residents Group
	Cr Pippa Coom	Waitematā and Gulf Ward Councillor, Auckland Council
	Mr George Crawford	Property Council of NZ
	Cr Chris Darby	Auckland Council (Mayor’s alternate)
	Mayor Hon Phil Goff, CNZM, JP	Auckland Council
	Mr Matt Harray	Retail sector
	Mr Jamey Holloway	Business Improvement District
	Mr Mark Kingsford	Corporate sector
	Ms Amy Malcolm	Tertiary sector (University of Auckland)
	Mr Nigel Murphy	Tertiary sector (Auckland University of Technology)
	Mr Richard Northey	Waitematā Local Board, Auckland Council
	Mr Antony Phillips	City Centre Residents Group
	Ms Anahera Rawiri	Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei
	Mr Patrick Reynolds	Transport representative

(Quorum 8 members)

Mike Giddey

Kaitohutohu Mana Whakahaere / Governance Advisor

22 September 2021

Contact Telephone: +64 9 890 8143

Email: mike.giddey@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Auckland City Centre Advisory Board

27 September 2021

2021 Review of the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board

File No.: CP2021/10396

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To inform the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board of an upcoming review of the board and its purpose.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Auckland Council’s Democracy and Engagement Department has asked council’s Research and Evaluation Unit (RIMU) to conduct a review of the 2019-2022 Auckland City Centre Advisory Board, to inform their recommendations to the Mayor following the 2022 local government elections.

3. Auckland Council’s Democracy and Engagement Department is reviewing each advisory panel and board as part of an ongoing continuous improvement review cycle. The purpose of the review is to understand how the board has operated in this term (2019-2022), the impacts achieved in this term, and to identify potential improvements.

4. This presentation seeks to inform the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board members of the focus of the review, its approximate timeframes, and the way the RIMU team will seek to engage with board members during the review.

The purpose of the evaluation

5. Specific areas to be explored in the review covering the 2019-2022 term include:

· Board membership (including representation, and the appointment process including chairs)

· Functioning of the board (e.g., provision and distribution of advice, meetings)

· Effectiveness of current working relationships and areas for improvement (e.g., between staff and board members)

· Outcomes achieved

· Expression of treaty partnership including representation of mana whenua

· Role of the advisory board in relation to decision-making procedures for council on city centre

· Identifying areas and processes that are working really well, and

· Recommendations for improvement.

6. The city centre targeted rate investment portfolio and associated work programme is out of scope of this review.

How the evaluation will be conducted

7. This project will run between October and May 2022. Data collection from stakeholders, including board members, is scheduled to take place from October 2021.

8. The project plan involves a mixed-method approach to answer the key evaluation questions; this will include a mixture of interviews and focus groups. It is envisioned that the board will provide feedback through one-on-one interviews.

9. RIMU will conduct the evaluation in an open, independent, and transparent manner, and intends the findings to contribute to improving the effectiveness and impact of the sector advisory panels.

10. The RIMU team will communicate the findings back through the steering group.

11. The full project plan is available on request

Contact

12. If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact Kathryn Ovenden Senior Social Researcher, RIMU, at kathryn.ovenden@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or 021 343 712, or Jesse Allpress, Principal Social Scientist, RIMU, at jesse.allpress@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or 021 510 420.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board:

a) note the information regarding the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board upcoming review.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	ACCAB review introduction	11

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author	Kenneth Aiolupotea - General Manager Democracy and Engagement
Authoriser	John Dunshea - General Manager Development Programmes Office

Auckland City Centre Advisory Board

27 September 2021

City Centre Targeted Rate Portfolio update

File No.: CP2021/14407

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To provide an update on the city centre targeted rate portfolio.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. The city centre targeted rate programme continues to advance the outcomes of the City Centre Masterplan. Staff will give a presentation about the status of projects funded by the city centre targeted rate at the 27 September 2021 advisory board meeting, and a summary is provided as Attachment A.

3. Several projects were completed during the past year, including key milestones such as the Downtown Programme; including Te Komititanga, and the Quay Street and Galway Street streetscape enhancements; the Karangahape Road streetscape enhancements and the Emily Place tactical urbanism project.

4. There are four projects currently underway – the Wai Horotiu Queen Street project and the Federal Street stage 2 upgrade are in construction phase. The Myers Park underpass upgrade project is in the detailed design phase, and Te Hā Noa - Victoria Street linear park is in the preliminary design phase.

5. A total of four projects have been deferred as a consequence of Emergency Budget resource constraints in 2020/2021 – High Street streetscapes, enhancements to Mills and Exchange lanes and upgrades to aspects of Hobson and Nelson streets.

6. Due to interfaces with two adjacent private developments, and ongoing access requirements for City Rail Link, approximately 50 percent of the Tyler and Galway shared space streetscapes work scope have been deferred and will not be delivered under City Rail Link's C1 contract.

7. Other programmes funded by the city centre targeted rate in the last financial year include the city centre activation, placemaking and tactical urbanism programme, destination marketing, and the Learning Quarter.

8. A proposal to extend the city centre targeted rate to 2031 was approved by the Governing Body in June 2021 (GB/2021/78).

9. The extension of the targeted rate means that the city centre will continue to see steady investment over the next ten years, in addition to the general rate funded Waterfront development programme and the Regional Land Transport programme.

10. An overview of the city centre targeted rate portfolio budget is provided as Attachment B. The portfolio budget is reviewed every three years in conjunction with council’s long-term plan process. The city centre targeted rate portfolio budget is updated annually with new forecasts.

11. The annual budget refresh has identified $500,000 in 2021/2022 to enable responses to any immediate needs or opportunities in the city centre. Staff are seeking insights from the board at the 27 September 2021 meeting to inform decision-making in relation to these funds.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board:

a) note the City Centre Targeted Rate portfolio update

b) provide insights on the city centre needs and opportunities that could benefit from immediate investment from the available $500,000.

Horopaki

Context

The board advises Auckland Council on the alignment of the city centre targeted rate

investment portfolio to the needs of the city centre, provides advice on council’s strategies,

policies, plans, bylaws and programmes in relation to city centre development, as well as

key issues and opportunities to support city centre outcomes.

12. The city centre targeted rate currently collects around $22.5 million per annum. The extension of the city centre targeted rate to 2031 was approved by the Governing Body in June 2021 (GB/2021/78)

13. The 10-year proposed programme was brought to the board for endorsement at the 30 November 2020 meeting and resolved as follows:

Resolution number CEN/2020/49

That the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board:

a) note the city centre targeted rate investment portfolio for 2021-2031

b) note that the programme for the outer years will be reviewed as more information becomes available and as part of the Long-term Plan 2024-2034 process

c) note strong city centre targeted ratepayer concern and the need for holistic and connected planning across the council group and effective mitigation of impacts.

14. To align with the Long-term Plan process, further feedback on the programme will be sought for the Long-term Plan 2024-2034.

15. This report is to update the advisory board on the status of city centre targeted rate projects.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

City Centre Targeted Rate-funded programme update

16. A summary status report for the city centre targeted rate-funded programme is provided as Attachment A. Staff will present a further update and take questions at the advisory board meeting on 27 September 2021.

17. Despite the impacts of COVID-19, several major projects supported by the city centre targeted rate were completed in 2020/2021. These include the culmination of the Downtown Programme with Te Komititanga, and the Quay Street and Galway Street streetscape enhancements. The Karangahape Road streetscape enhancement project was officially opened in June 2021, and the Innovating Streets tactical urbanism installation in Emily Place was completed in early July 2021.

18. The Wai Horotiu Queen Street pilot was installed and completed in June 2021 featuring widened footpaths and additional planting to improve the pedestrian experience between Custom Street and Shortland Street. This was delivered as part of the Waka Kotahi Innovating Streets for People Fund and supported by the city centre targeted rate.

19. Feedback and information gathered from the pilot project has informed the development of the Wai Horotiu Queen Street Project from Shortland Street to Mayoral Drive. This project is not funded by the city centre targeted rate portfolio. An update on this project is provided in a separate report on this meeting agenda.

20. Construction for the upgrade of Federal Street, between Wellesley Street and Mayoral Drive started in March 2021. The upgrade will deliver a growing network of city centre laneways designed to open up urban spaces and provide pedestrian access and opportunities for people to connect, enjoy outdoor areas, and access cycleways throughout other areas of the city. Construction is planned to be completed in early 2022.

21. The Myers Park underpass is in detailed design phase, which is expected to be completed in September 2021, after incorporating feedback from the resource consent process. Construction is scheduled to start in financial year 2021/2022.

22. Planning is continuing for Te Hā Noa – Victoria Street linear park, to transform Victoria Street from a street dominated by cars to a more people-focused and greener link across the city. The project is currently in the preliminary design phase which began in May 2021 and is due to be completed in December 2021. The first stage of the project will focus on the area between Albert Street and Kitchener Street.

23. Three projects were put on hold as a consequence of Emergency Budget resource constraints in 2020-2021. These included:

- High Street streetscapes

- upgrades to Mills and Exchange lanes

- Nelson Street slip lane project.

- Preliminary and detailed design for the Nelson Street slip lane project is budgeted to start later in 2021-2022, and construction will begin approximately 12 months later.

City Centre Targeted Rate portfolio budget and the Long-term Plan 2021-2031

24. In November 2020,the board supported the extension of the targeted rate as well as public consultation for the extension, as part of the long-term plan process resolutions CEN/202/47 and CEN/2020/48. Following public support for the extension, the city centre targeted rate extension to 2030 was approved by the Governing Body in June 2021 (GB/2021/78)

25. A summary of the long-term plan decision in Attachment B which some of the feedback received. The summary of feedback received on the 10-year budget is available online at this link. A copy of page 43 - 44 of the summary relating to the city centre targeted rate question in the long-term plan consultation is attached for ease of reference as Attachment C.

26. The extension of the targeted rate means that the city centre will continue to see steady investment over the next ten years and continue to deliver on the outcomes in the City Centre Masterplan. This is additional to the general rate funded Waterfront development programme and the Regional Land Transport programme.

27. An overview of the city centre targeted rate portfolio budget is provided as Attachment D. The portfolio budget is reviewed every three years in conjunction with the council’s long-term plan process. The city centre targeted rate portfolio budget is updated annually with new forecasts.

Key updates to the city centre targeted rate portfolio budget

28. The city centre targeted rate is contributing to some exciting streetscape improvements that will change the way people work, live in and visit the city centre. Our transport network is improving, changing the way we access and move through the city. A major transformation of the waterfront in Downtown and Karangahape Rd is now complete, and the midtown area is the next focus for development alongside the City Rail Link’s Aotea Station.

29. The impacts of Covid-19 have been disproportionally felt in the city centre. The CCTR budget and the annual forecasts have been adjusted to reflect the costs increases and delays that have been a direct result of local and international Covid-19 impacts and form part of Auckland’s Recovery Budget 2021-2031. The City Centre Targeted Rate budget 2021-2024 will support change in the midtown area. It will also continue to fund projects that help the city to thrive as an economic and cultural centre. To encourage people to visit and return to work in the city centre, as well as to benefit from some of our wonderful new upgrades and spaces, funding for the activation programme has also been increased.

30. The updated city centre targeted rate portfolio budget for 2021-2024 will include the following changes:

Removal of the allocation for:

· Queens Wharf Redevelopment due to the uncertainty of timing for this work

· City Centre Masterplan targets as this project has not yet started

· Harbour water quality monitoring following advice from the water quality team

· Quay Park (framework plan) – this budget has been reallocated with the ‘Te Tōangaroa’, currently budgeted to start in 2026.

31. However the 2021-2024 budget will include:

· urban neighbourhood enhancement programme - $850,000 over 2023 and 2024

· contribution to Te Hā Noa Victoria Street linear park (Queen to Kitchener Street) - $5,950,000

· midtown programme - $1,800,000

· an increase in the activation programme budget - Te Komititanga / Aotea programming - $2,200,000 over three years

32. The amounts allocated to approved programmes and projects, and the timeframe for starting these works, have been updated with the latest forecasts. All continue to be subject to change as programmes and designs develop.

Priorities for available funding from 2021/2022 to 2023/2024

33. The updated forecast for the city centre targeted rate portfolio budget in the next three years has identified the availability of $500,000 in the 2021/2022 financial year, and per annum for the two following years to respond to emerging needs or opportunities in the city centre.

34. Decision-making responsibility for the allocation of these funds sits with the Finance and Performance Committee with recommendation from staff. Staff are seeking insights from the advisory board to inform this recommendation.

35. At the advisory meeting on 27 September 2021, advisory board members will be invited to share their perspectives regarding current and emerging needs in the city centre to scope priorities for this budget. To guide the discussion, themes to consider are in Attachment E.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

36. The city centre targeted rate portfolio will help ensure projects in the city centre continue to incorporate mitigations for environmental and climate change impacts. These inlcude sustainable procurement, recycle-able and re-usable materials, opportunities to improve water treatment, providing more greenery (for example, more trees and planters), monitoring and evaluation of environmental measures and ensuring urban design is compact and low-carbon.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

37. The board has expressed the need to continue work on a holistic integrated approach to planning and coordination of development in the city centre across the council group.

38. The Development Programme Office has collaborated and continues to work together with council-controlled organisations on city centre targeted rate portfolio projects.

Ngā whakaaweawe ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe

Local impacts and local board views

39. The Waitematā Local Board has previously been supportive of the city centre targeted rate portfolio and has co-funded several projects (such as Myers Park underpass). The City centre targeted rate investment portfolio contributes to the Waitematā Local Board plan:

· Outcome 1: Inclusive communities that are vibrant, healthy and connected

· Outcome 1: Māori are empowered, and their identity and culture is visible.

· Outcome 2: Attractive and versatile public places that meet our communities’ needs

· Outcome 3: The natural environment is valued, protected and enhanced

· Outcome 4: A high-quality built environment that embraces our heritage

· Outcome 6: An innovative, productive and resilient local economy.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

40. The city centre targeted rate portfolio includes a programme that promotes partnership with Mana Whenua on city centre projects.

41. Māori outcomes delivered by the city centre targeted rate portfolio are managed at the project level, with each project responsible for delivering on their individual outcomes.

42. The city centre targeted rate is being used to contribute to Māori outcomes by enabling kaitiakitanga (environmental guardianship) and highlighting our unique cultural heritage by incorporating Māori design elements.

43. Mana whenua consultation occurs as part of the development and delivery of all city centre projects, on a project-by-project basis, via the monthly Infrastructure and Environmental Services mana whenua Hui and other project specific hui.

44. The programme includes the use of te reo Māori, cultural tourism, festivals and events, and incorporation of Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland design approach founded on Māori design for unique architectural and spatial design responses.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

45. The city centre targeted rate was approved by the Governing Body at its meeting in June 2021: resolution (GB/2021/78).

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

46. COVID-19 restrictions are presenting an issue for planned public engagements for a number of projects, with the potential of impacting on project timelines. There are risks that engagement will be delayed depending on alert level restrictions. Some of the projects have several online events planned if we are unable to present in person.

47. There is significant cost volatility in the construction markets that could change the projects costs. The project team is continually checking against the budget to ensure that cost changes are picked up as early and accurately as possible to deliver within the available budget.

48. The recent COVID-19 lockdown has prevented site works from progressing. The Federal Street Stage 2 project site has been closed since 18 August 2021.

49. Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, City Rail Link Limited and the Link Alliance are continuing to work together to integrate the projects and to minimise disruption to the city during construction.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

50. The Auckland City Centre Advisory Board will continue to be updated on the city centre targeted rate portfolio programme as it progresses.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	City Centre Targeted Rate portfolio projects update	27
b ⇩	Summary of the LTP decision	37
c ⇩	Summary relating to the city centre targeted rate question in the LTP consultation	41
d ⇩	Overview of the city centre targeted rate portfolio budget	43
e ⇩	Potential focus areas for consideration	45

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author	Tam White - Senior Governance and Relationship Advisor
Authoriser	John Dunshea - General Manager Development Programmes Office

Auckland City Centre Advisory Board

27 September 2021

Update on the Midtown Programme

File No.: CP2021/14426

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To provide an update on the delivery of the midtown programme, ahead of public engagement for the Wai Horotiu Queen Street Project, Te Hā Noa - Victoria Street Linear Park project and the Wellesley Street Bus Improvements project, from 22 September 2021.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. The council group has made significant progress toward the City Centre Masterplan 2020 vision.

3. The recent revitalisation of downtown Auckland, Wynyard Quarter, and Karangahape Road made substantial progress toward the realisation of the City Centre Masterplan vision, to create a city that is responding to the way our community wants to live, work and play.

4. The focus of development is now shifting to midtown, where civic, cultural, and commercial activities converge with a growing residential community. The midtown area is also set to become a key transport hub with the opening of the City Rail Link Aotea Station in 2024, which will play a pivotal role in the transformation of the precinct and the city centre. It represents an opportunity to shape the city and stimulate residential and employment intensification in the areas around CRL stations.

5. Three of the largest projects in the midtown programme will be starting public engagement from late September 2021.

6. Public consultation for the Wai Horotiu Queen Street Project will begin on 22 September 2021. The consultation aims to build understanding of the project and demonstrate responses to the public feedback, as well as seek feedback on the proposed transport changes. An update was provided to the Planning Committee on 30 August 2021 by memo.

7. The joint public engagement for Te Hā Noa - Victoria Street linear park (Auckland Council) and Wellesley Street Bus Improvements (Auckland Transport) will begin in early October 2021. The public engagement is primarily an ‘inform’ campaign with the city centre community and will be focused on how each project is part of the regeneration of midtown and the integration with the space around Aotea Station.

8. A media release is planned for 27 September to begin the awareness campaign about the midtown programme and provide an overarching story for the projects to connect to. This media release will be supported by a social media video and native advertising in the New Zealand Herald.

Context

9. The Auckland Plan recognise that the city centre plays a critical role in the success of both Auckland and New Zealand, as an international centre for business and learning, innovation, entertainment, culture and urban living.

10. One of its strengths is the concentration of population and economic activity crucial to fostering New Zealand’s advanced industries - such as research and development intensive industries that offer high levels of science, technology, engineering and mathematics employment - that are critical for the wider economy and helps to ensure that New Zealand is globally competitive.

11. The City Centre Masterplan 2020 is a place-based document that gives effect to the expectations of the city centre in the Auckland Plan. The masterplan is shaped by targets and direction from the Te-Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan.

12. At the core of the City Centre Masterplan is Access for Everyone (A4E), a concept to transform how people and freight move in the city centre. By enabling a decisive mode-shift away from private vehicles and prioritising active modes and public transport, it aims to make better use of finite city centre space to improve priority for people and the quality of the environment.

13. The recent revitalisation of downtown Auckland, Wynyard Quarter, and Karangahape Road made substantial progress toward the realization of the city centre masterplan vision, to create a city that is responding to the way our community wants to live, work and play.

14. The focus of development is now shifting to midtown, the area that stretche from Nelson Street to the west, Victoria Street to the north, Myers Park to the south and Albert Park to the east.

15. It is where civic, cultural, education and commercial activities converge with a growing residential community and is set to become a key transport hub with the opening of the City Rail Link Aotea Station in 2024. The City Rail Link will play a pivotal role in the transformation of the precinct and the city centre.

Discussion

Midtown regeneration

16. Auckland Council’s midtown programme will fundamentally change the function of streets and urban environment around the City Rail Link Aotea Station, shifting it from vehicle dominance into greener and cleaner space that prioritises pedestrians and cyclists. The programme will increase green infrastructure and public space through some of the densest and busiest neighbourhoods in New Zealand.

17. The programme will contribute to Te-Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan by reducing the number of vehicles in the city centre, which will in turn reduce emissions and improve air quality, with a positive impact on health. The programme will also improve amenity and biodiversity and create green space for those living and working in the city centre communities to enjoy.

18. The design of projects will showcase a unique identity rooted in the culture and history, creating a place that has the potential to improve people’s sense of belonging and connection. This will enhance the precinct in a way that Mana Whenua considers a better reflection of Māori culture and identity.

19. A number of projects within the midtown programme are either in planning or underway and are scheduled to align with the opening of the City Rail Link Aotea station. A schedule of the projects in the midtown programme is listed in Attachment A.

20. In addition, council and its development partners will be developing Aotea Centre – the 21-story development above the Aotea station and Bledisloe Carpark. Together with the Civic Administration Building and surrounds, they represent the largest and most significant development opportunity in the quarter.

21. The council group are working together to ensure that the programme is coordinated and scheduled to minimise disruption to the city centre, minimise rework and to leverage design and construction efficiencies, and to tell a joined-up story for the city centre.

Public engagement

22. Three of the largest projects in the midtown programme will be starting public engagement from late September – the Wai Horotiu Queen Street Project, Te Hā Noa - Victoria Street linear park and the Wellesley Street Bus Improvements project.

23. There is already high public awareness of the projects as part of developments in the city centre, previous consultations and identification in the City Centre Masterplan.

24. A media release will announce the new Queen Street design on 22 September 2021. This design responds to the public feedback received through early stages of the Wai Horotiu Queen Street Project and presents a single, unified design between Shortland Street and Mayoral Drive. A social media campaign will support this release and encourage Aucklanders to give further feedback on aspects of the traffic changes which are being proposed to support further removal of discretionary traffic from the street. An update was provided to the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board at its workshop on 30 August 2021.

25. A midtown media release is planned for 27 September to begin the awareness campaign about the midtown programme. This has been crafted to provide an overarching story about the regeneration of the area and connect the individual project activities that will begin in October. A supporting midtown video has been created and will be promoted across social media channels, and native advertising will appear in the New Zealand Herald.

26. The joint public engagement for Te Hā Noa - Victoria Street linear park (Auckland Council) and Wellesley Street Bus Improvements (Auckland Transport) will begin in early October 2021. The public engagement is primarily an ‘inform’ campaign with the city centre community and will be focused on how each project is part of the regeneration of midtown and the integration with the space around Aotea Station.

27. Further project details on Te Hā Noa - Victoria Street linear park (Auckland Council) and Wellesley Street Bus Improvements, can be found in Attachment B.

28. Targeted engagement with key stakeholders will be ongoing throughout the public engagement period. Aspects of the project will be consulted in more detail via one-on-one (online) conversations with directly affected stakeholders.

Loading and servicing

29. Staff expect the city centre community to have questions related to servicing and loading in the midtown area, which is recognised as essential for the operation of businesses and residents. While not a part of this joint engagement, Auckland Transport are developing an interim servicing and loading plan for the city centre, which will be completed in draft by November 2021.

30. A midtown parking, loading and servicing detailed plan is also being commissioned to identify solutions for the midtown area following the opening of City Rail Link, and incorporating the first stages of Te Hā Noa Victoria Street linear park and Wellesley Street Bus Improvements.

31. These plans will be developed with involvement of the Access for Everyone (A4E) project team to ensure alignment with longer term planning.

Next steps

32. A media release on 22 September 2021 will share the final design for Queen Street and signal the start of consultation on the traffic changes for the Wai Horotiu Queen Street Project.

33. The public awareness campaign for midtown will begin on 27 September with media and social media activity. The joint public engagement for Te Hā Noa - Victoria Street linear park and Wellesley Street Bus Improvements will begin in early October 2021.

34. Staff will continue to update councillors, Waitematā Local Board, Auckland City Centre Advisory Board and other key stakeholders as the projects progress.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board:

a) note the update report on the midtown programme.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments