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Queens Wharf as party central - an adaptation of one of the entries in last year's scrapped design competition - Source: ONE News -
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The leaders of Auckland are mulling over a design for a cruise
ship terminal and Rugby World Cup "party central" space at Queen's
Wharf.
But the ratepayers, who have to pay much of the bill, may not get a
say.
Auckland mayors are now calling on the government to involve the public in decisions about the iconic piece of waterfront.
A single image, leaked to media on Tuesday, is the only glimpse so far of the favoured option for Queens Wharf - an adaptation of one of the entries in last year's scrapped design competition.
But it has not really stoked the average Aucklander, many saying the design does not exactly give one an image of what the wharf will look like when completed.
Auckland's four mayors have been briefed on the proposal and while they are divided about the design itself, they all agree on one thing - the public needs to see it in full.
"They're gonna wake up one morning, work's going to begin, they haven't been consulted, they haven't even been near the plans," says Auckland City mayor John Banks.
Manukau City mayor Len Brown agrees saying their (the public's) input is critical in the process.
But ONE News understands design images will be officially released this week and a decision on what will be built at the wharf must be made by February, which means many Aucklanders will have little opportunity to have a say.
Murray McCully, the Rugby World Cup minister, says he envisages a plan where the chosen design images will be put up on a website and people will be allowed to have their say, but there will be no votes by the public.
This is despite the fact that Auckland ratepayers will end up footing around half of the $110 million bill.
Asked by ONE News whether the ratepayers should have the primary say in the design, McCully said that since the ratepayers voted in the people in the Auckland City Council, he is sure the councillors will not be making their decisions lightly and their decisions will be accepted on behalf of the people.
