The
debate around plans for Ports expansion is an issue that has exercised our
minds here at Heart of the City over the years. It goes back before the huge
public debate about the proposed waterfront stadium for the Rugby World Cup. It
is hardly surprising that we would take a keen interest as the waterfront is
one of the major attractions of our city.
We have long advocated for a wide ranging study about the best use for our central city waterfront. At HOTC we are questioning the need to do any further Ports reclamation while the case for it has not been made.
We
have long contended that there are substantial supporting investments e.g.
road, rail, dredging, environmental and social impacts that need to also be
taken into account.
After
several renditions POAL are now saying that they are going to rearrange their
port to make it more efficient and that would allow for container growth for 30
years on a slightly less reclaimed Bledisloe Wharf – 179 metres and in return
would make Captain Cook Wharf available for public use. Of course this is
comforting but still doesn’t answer questions around the costs associated with
the movement of 2.5 million containers each year (treble the current level) off
the port and through the city. They describe new investments in road and rail
as being investments required for car and public transport uses, not for them.
 |
| View from waters edge if proposed expansion was to go ahead |
As
a result of yesterday’s much publicised Council meeting Council has now agreed
to conduct public consultation over the next 2-3 months with a view to changes
being made in the Unitary Plan in August/September.
So,
the debate is still alive and we expect to play a fulsome role over the next
few months by continuing to ask the hard questions.
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