IT'S A GAME-CHANGER - Project AucklandFriday, March 6, 2020 INSIDE - newzealandinc.com
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
nzherald.co.nz/business Friday, March 6, 2020
Project Auckland
INSIDE
How infrastructure
spend-up will be
used
Cones and
congestion —
worth the pain?
Drury — NZ's first
‘new town’
Why Auckland's
port should stay
IT’S A
GAME-
CHANGER Photo / Jason Oxenham
D2 nzherald.co.nz | The New Zealand Herald | Friday, March 6, 2020
Project Auckland
INSIDE
Worth the growing
pains: Auckland’s
project push — D4-D16
Phil Twyford's 'new
town' at Drury
— D20-D25
Beca turns 100
— D26-D27
Homelessness mars Project
Auckland momentum
Tim McCready places by the end of the year, along Decision time on light
rail, ports and housing
H
with spending more than $100m on
omelessness in New Zea- preventative measures under the — D30-D34
land has been highlighted banner of a new “Aotearoa New Zea-
as the worst in the OECD. land Homelessness Action Plan”.
The number of homeless This includes support services for
people and beggars in Auckland’s those at risk of losing their rental in
CBD seems to be ballooning, and they the form of budgeting advice, prop-
are becoming more and more visible erty maintenance and mental health
in the suburbs. and addiction support.
I put this to Auckland mayor Phil But when judging homelessness
Goff, who told me the answer is not by surveying Queen St, Goff tells me
simply to get them out of sight, out it is important to distinguish between
of mind: “Provided you’re not being homelessness and begging: “they’re
obnoxious and obstructing people, or not synonymous”. He says whenever
abusing people, there is no law in the Auckland has a cruise ship in, there
country that says thou shalt not put are inevitably more people on the Year of Events will
a hat on the pavement and ask for street begging. enhance Auckland’s
money.” Tackling this aspect includes the reputation — D38
He has asked council staff to look “Street Guardians” programme led by
into options to provide safe and suit- Heart of the City. The city centre
able storage for belongings and bed- business association is working in
ding of rough sleepers to be stowed partnership with the Auckland City
short-term to keep streets tidy during Mission and with support from the
the day. But Goff says the solution to Ministry of Social Development to
homelessness requires solving the provide opportunities to people who
problems that generate it. And it is would otherwise be begging on the
an issue he’s heavily involved in and street to work on community pro-
clearly passionate about. jects. Projects range from fixing bikes,
“If the rate of home building is building planter boxes, planting trees
much lower than the growth and and cleaning beaches. Heart of the
demand for homes, one, you’re going City says the programme is popular,
to force up costs both in rental and with most weeks oversubscribed.
purchase, but the people who miss There are those who say having Open for business, but
out when there’s a shortage of hous- homelessness and beggars is an en- not business as usual
ing are always people at the bottom,” during feature of an urban landscape — D42
he says. and the price you pay for being a big
Auckland Council is now consent- city. Others baulk at the money being
ing over 15,000 properties a year — spent. But studies in Finland show
five times the level from eight years All the evidence shows it housed. Since 2017 the programme that the savings in healthcare, social Project Auckland
ago. “You also need to ramp up your has housed over 1100 people. services and the justice system total Executive Editor: Fran O'Sullivan
social housing programme and the is far more expensive to A similar strategy was deployed in as much as €15,000 a year for every Writers: Bill Bennett, Tim McCready,
Graham Skellern
government’s doing that, though I
think they need to do more.”
accept or ignore Helsinki, which made Finland the
only country in the European Union
homeless person in properly
supported housing.
Subeditor: Isobel Marriner
Layouts: Isobel Marriner
Goff says the third “prong” to solv- homelessness, than it is to have a fall in homelessness. We must aspire to make homeless- Cover: Richard Dale
ing homelessness lies in programmes to solve it. In a similar vein, Prime Minister ness in Auckland rare, and brief when Production: Natalia Rimell
such as Housing First — a collective Jacinda Ardern last month it happens. Advertising: Christine Moxham
Project Auckland event
of five organisations helping those announced a massive $300m It is a complex challenge, but all Event Manager: Natalia Rimell
who are homeless into appropriate ciple that it is easier for people to homelessness action plan. the evidence shows it is far more Event Director: Sarah D'Audney
housing. It then provides wrap- address issues such as mental health The Government says it will pro- expensive to accept or ignore
around services, working on the prin- and substance use once they are vide 1000 more transitional housing homelessness, than it is to solve it.
nzherald.co.nz | The New Zealand Herald | Friday, March 6, 2020 D3
Project Auckland
Auckland’s Game-Changer
The Super City has finally achieved an exciting momentum Government-owned agencies to
Project create what some say will
ultimately morph into a satellite
Auckland neglected schools and hospitals, city in the midst of the Golden
Fran and caused congestion in our towns Triangle.
O’Sulivan and cities.” But it’s not all roses as Tim
Even before Robertson unveiled McCready points out in his
his infrastructure package in adjoining article on Auckland’s
W
January, Auckland City was disgraceful level of homelessness.
hen we launched humming with multiple projects all There are some big decisions
Project Auckland in underway at once. pending.
November 2006 in The “city of cones, cranes and Twyford is waiting on major
partnership with the congestion” will ultimately give reports so that the Cabinet can
groundbreaking Metro Project, the way to a sparkling central city make a call between two competing
Herald boldly declared on the front- which will truly be world-class, options for bringing light rail to
cover of its then broadsheet report: leading Auckland Council engineer Auckland.
Enough TALK. Barry Potter discloses as he talks This was due to happen this
It was part of a leadership about the “ins and outs” of his huge month.
campaign, the Herald launched, to task of keeping 24 city development Already there are signals that
demand action to secure the major projects on the go at once. Labour’s Coalition partner is uneasy
opportunities that were by-passing The upcoming America’s Cup about the risk factor.
a deeply fragmented Auckland, has been the catalyst for change — Ports of Auckland CEO Tony
riven with rivalries among the so too, next year’s events Gibson has previously been slapped
various mayors and cities that were culminating in the November 2021 down by that same partner for
then part of the wider metropolis. Apec Leaders’ Meeting which will advocating for Auckland to keep its
A typical example: Helen Clark’s bring another 10,000 visitors into port — as he does again in this year’s
Labour Government had offered to Auckland. report.
facilitate a sparkling sports stadium There is also a huge contribution There are also some potential
on the waterfront in time to host the coming from the private sector. “What Ifs”.
2011 Rugby World Cup. Commercial Bay on Quay St is First, the possible impact on
Rival city bosses disagreed. The just one shining example delivering projects — and events — if
offer languished. new style to the city. workforces are impacted by the
Project Auckland went on to The International also brings a coronavirus.
chart its separate path as a strong stylish approach to residential Second, a potential impact on
advocate for the creation of the apartment living with world-class project deliverables if there is
“Super City”, which is now and Council agencies to reveal their Zealand Upgrade Programme will shared amenities. disruption to supply chains
Auckland Council, running multiple plans, developers to showcase be applied in Auckland. Then there is Drury — New bringing vital construction supplies
publications to focus business projects — and much more besides. Finance Minister Grant Zealand’s first “new town”, which from China, in particular.
debate. Auckland’s growing pains have Robertson says the past decade has Urban Development Minister Phil These are timing issues.
Over the years it has been a been well canvassed in that time. seen significant under-investment Twyford (in collaboration with What is undeniable is that
vehicle for politicians to outline But 2020 is truly the Game-Changer. in crucial national infrastructure. developers) claims as a brainchild. Auckland has finally achieved a
their strategies and test ideas; Much focus is now on how much “This has been a handbrake on This is a significant development new and exciting momentum.
thought-leaders to campaign for and crucially when the our economy and society, has led where developers are collaborating The projects and people in
much needed change, Government Government’s $12 billion New to lower productivity, ageing and with Auckland Council and today’s report are central to that.
D4 nzherald.co.nz | The New Zealand Herald | Friday, March 6, 2020
Project Auckland
A city that is going places
Disruption in Auckland is inevitable when you are making
Project
Auckland massive transformational change, says mayor Phil Goff
Tim
McCready
A
uckland Mayor Phil Goff
says although you can miti-
gate against disruption, you
cannot “do” construction
without it being in some sense dis-
ruptive.
“Of course it is going to be disrup-
tive if you’re ripping out the intersec-
tion between Wellesley St to Albert
St. Of course it’s going to be disruptive
if you’re ripping up Quay St,” he says.
“But disruption is also progress.”
Goff admits there is a part of the
community that will complain, saying
the only way to get around is by car
and any construction is too disrup-
tive. But he says that attitude is not
going to work as Auckland’s popula-
tion rises by 40,000 a year and roads
can’t get any wider.
He says the city does have to
upgrade roads for cars — and dis-
agrees with people who complain
about the upgrade programme the
Government recently announced as
part of its infrastructure package.
“But actually, the big changes are
things like the third main trunk rail
line so we can increase the capacity
further on heavy rail, and SkyPath
and SeaPath. They will produce mass-
ive transformational change for
Auckland — and for the better.”
Goff reckons the average person
understands you can’t rip up a road
to put a tunnel underneath it, or
create a cycleway or widen the
pedestrian footpath without having
an impact.
“It is a signature of a city that is
going places and we should be
pleased about that,” he says.
And it is clear he is pleased. He
talks animatedly about cycleways,
the developments to pedestrianise
areas, and public transport that will
make the central city more environ-
mentally friendly and accessible.
“It’s a way of giving people the Mayor Phil Goff says Auckland is paying the price for a long period where infrastructure wasn’t being created.
choice and alternative ways of getting
around the city in a way that doesn’t There is a lot of preening to be be held in the brand-new New Zea- rooms a year. That means we’re and sea level rise.”
add to congestion, is low on carbon done in our largest city before the land International Convention Centre much better set up to cater for an Auckland Council is developing a
emissions, and is a fun way of getting spotlight comes on. (NZICC) — until the fire last October event the size of Leaders’ Week.” Climate Action Framework to outline
around.” The America’s Cup will be first up, put that in doubt. a path to reduce emissions and pre-
Goff says there has been a long and Goff says projects are on time and From his office, Goff has an unpar- Beyond 2021 pare the region for the impacts of
period where “bugger all infra- within budget for all of the infra- alleled view of the NZICC construc- Asked about the future of the city, climate change. But Goff says while
structure was being created” and we structure for the event. tion site. He was one of the first to Goff shares Sir Paul Callaghan’s vision Auckland wants to be at the cutting
are paying the price for that now. “The development around Quay St break the news of last year’s fire and for New Zealand — of Auckland being edge of making the changes needed,
“The trouble with the City Rail Link and the new harbour park will be gave regular updates of what he “the city where talent wants to live”. it is important that other countries
(CRL) is that we shouldn’t be doing completed,” he says. “Commercial could see live through his Twitter He says our natural environment take it seriously as well.
the sod-turning at Mount Eden now Bay and the Park Hyatt hotel will be account. is an important part of what makes One example of the changes being
— we should be opening it.” up and running — but construction He is disappointed Auckland now the city an attractive place to be. made is the recent announcement
Goff says the CRL will double rail across the city doesn’t stop because won’t be able to show off its glitzy new “The Central Interceptor will be that all the red CityLink buses will
capacity and bring more people into we have international guests here.” hosting venue to the world. huge progress in stopping the high become electric this year.
the CBD by public transport. He says as well as the excitement “When we watched the fire start level of waste water overflows into Goff says the move will help im-
“That was needed five years ago,
and the reluctance of the government
of the day to participate in that and
then putting half the cost on Auck-
land … almost everybody can now see
it was a bad mistake.”
The number of pedestrians on
,, The trouble with the City Rail
Link is that we shouldn’t be
doing the sod-turning at Mount
the harbour every time it rains,” he
says. The $1.2b wastewater tunnel will
run 14.7km long and 4.5m wide from
Grey Lynn to the Māngere Waste-
water Treatment Plant.
It is due to be operating by 2025
and will help make Auckland’s water
prove air quality by reducing pol-
lution from black carbon and nitro-
gen oxide emitted by the current
diesel vehicles. “Black carbon is
associated with health problems and
has been found in Queen St at levels
higher than in some major European
Queen St has roughly doubled in the ways cleaner by cutting overflows by and US cities, so it’s a priority for us
past five years, the imminent opening Eden now — we should be up to 80 per cent. to address this issue.”
of Commercial Bay is going to bring Goff frequently talks about his de- In November 2017, Auckland
around 10,000 workers into one opening it. sire to increase Auckland’s resilience joined 11 other cities in signing the
block, and we are seeing increasing to climate change in order to “ensure C40 Fossil-Fuel-Free Streets Declara-
numbers of cruise ships arriving into a better world for our children and tion, committing Auckland to buying
the city. and vibrancy the America’s Cup and then just run on for day after day, grandchildren”. It was one of the only zero emission buses from 2025.
Goff asks: “How do you have all of brings to the city, it also leaves some it was pretty clear that this meant the major platforms he campaigned on But Goff says he’d like to bring that
that and have access by people to valuable legacy products — including centre wasn’t going to be ready for during last year’s election, along with commitment forward.
actually enjoy the city if it is still going the strengthening of the wharf, the Apec, notwithstanding the fact it’s still clean transport and protecting the “The capital cost of an electric bus
to be a place that you drive through, removal of the hazardous substance 21 months away. environment. is much higher. But the advantage is
rather than come into?” tanks, installation of breakwaters, and “But we did have a contingency He says climate change is the that over the lifetime of the bus, the
replacement of the Daldy St plan between government and coun- biggest environmental threat the running costs are half and it pays for
A city under the spotlight stormwater outfall. cil, and we have alternative options world faces, though he admits there itself over that time.”
Adding to Auckland’s disruption is New Zealand’s hosting of Apec will including the Aotea Centre and is a stark difference between Auck- He says the capital constraints of
the preparation for 2021. It is shaping involve a full year, with clusters of others. We won’t have the brand new land’s contribution to water quality council means he is talking to the
up to be one of Auckland’s busiest meetings held over 12 months from built-for-purpose convention centre, and climate change. Government about the possibility of
and most visible years ever — with December 2020, culminating in the but Apec will be a success and it’s not “The difference is that while the extending the feebate scheme to
the America’s Cup and Apec Leaders’ Week and CEO Summit in the end of the world.” steps we take on water quality im- buses.
headlining the year, and other large November 2021. For that, around Goff says preparations have deliv- mediately act to remedy the prob- “Feebate is great for electric cars.
major events including kapa haka 10,000 attendees will descend on ered a lot of new hotel beds, including lems, the steps we take on climate I drive an electric car. But these buses
festival Te Matatini, the women’s Auckland, with leaders from most of the 300-room Horizon Hotel being change are simply our contribution are on the road for 18 hours a day
cricket world cup and the men’s the 21 economies expected to attend. built alongside the convention centre. to what needs to be an international — why wouldn’t you want to bring
world softball championship. The CEO Summit was intended to “We’ve been building 1000 hotel effort in order to stop global warming forward that conversion?”
nzherald.co.nz | The New Zealand Herald | Friday, March 6, 2020 D5
Project Auckland
Worth the growing pains
Auckland’s dramatic transformation is necessary to develop it as a future-ready city, writes Pam Ford
A
uckland is at a pivotal point
in our region’s develop-
ment. It’s no secret that
we’re growing quickly:
Auckland’s economy is outpacing the There might be
likes of Sydney, Melbourne and
Vancouver, but this growth is mainly some growing
powered by population increase, not
by increased productivity.
pains in this ‘City
Over the next 30 years, Auckland’s of Cones, Cranes
population is projected to increase by and Cameras’, but
720,000 to 2.4 million people. That
would mean we need another undertaking
313,000 dwellings and 263,000 jobs.
Here at Ateed, we work with our simultaneous
Auckland Council colleagues, central major projects was
government and the private sector at
the intersection of workforce, place a deliberate
and industry development, to ensure choice to limit the
our people, businesses and regional
economy are future ready and best duration of
placed to seize future opportunities.
Auckland is going through a period
disruption. Rome
of dramatic transformation. The pub- wasn’t built in a
lic and private sectors are investing day and the world-
heavily in long-overdue infrastruc-
ture to accommodate Auckland’s class Auckland we
rapid growth.
Projects including the downtown all want can’t be
transformation, Wynyard Quarter either.
regeneration, Commercial Bay de-
velopment, Watercare’s Central Inter- Pam Ford
ceptor, the New Zealand International
Convention Centre, the Auckland Air-
port upgrade, and City Rail Link —
New Zealand’s largest infrastructure
project to date — are changing the
landscape as we know it.
More investment is coming with projected growth in the visitor econ- spend will go directly into our re- developing a highly strategic pro- important elements of Auckland be-
the Government’s New Zealand Up- omy and international businesses to gional economy. Other major projects gramme to leverage all the opportun- ing a future-ready, inclusive, prosper-
grade Programme, including the bring operations — and jobs — here. are already signed to come here, or ities coming Auckland’s way in a year ous and sustainable global city. We
walking and cycling path over Auck- But there are myriad other infra- seriously interested. that will allow us to showcase our know our Māori and Pasifika young
land Harbour Bridge - the SkyPath. structure and developments planned It is a time of unprecedented op- region to the world. people have brilliant creative energy,
The largest-scale television series that offer international investors — portunity for our already billion- Each specialist area of our organ- and we’re working with our com-
ever filmed has set up shop in Auck- and our people — opportunities. dollar screen industry, particularly isation is connecting with Auckland munities and partners to help create
land, while international retail giants We’re leading a council-wide in- our world-class companies and crew companies that could and are ready opportunities.
Costco and Ikea are preparing to itiative to tell the competitive global in the city’s western screen heartland. to do business with the potential Our innovative Go With Tourism
touch down in our region. market about the economic oppor- The private sector already recognises investors, suppliers and customers programme, now rolling out nation-
There might be some growing tunities Auckland’s transformation the opportunities. We are aware of that 2021 will bring here. ally, enables job-seekers and em-
pains in this “City of Cones, Cranes and development offers. Working planned significant greenfield studio Within the context of that work, we ployers in the tourism industry to
and Cameras”, but undertaking simul- with Auckland and NZ Inc partners, projects and expansion of current are mindful that locally and globally, directly connect; we’re scaling up our
taneous major projects was a delib- we’ll promote the local investment sites. To borrow a line, “if you build there is growing emphasis on ensur- award-winning BuildAKL initiative to
erate choice to limit the duration of landscape, who’s operating in it, and it, they will come”; then if you build ing economic development is both attract young Aucklanders into the
disruption, and the legacy will be a link pre-qualified international in- more, more will come, bringing inclusive of all our communities and booming construction and infra-
huge improvement for our people vestors with high-quality investable hundreds of millions in spend and a sustainable for our natural environ- structure sector; and the dynamic Te
and businesses. Rome wasn’t built in opportunities. lot of creative jobs. ment and resources. Haa o Manukau maker space is sup-
a day, and the world-class Auckland This builds on our work outlining Our investment, business and The evidence is compelling that porting and promoting emerging
we all want can’t be either. investor-ready projects to investors screen attraction programmes, and communities, cities and nations will creatives and entrepreneurs.
Auckland as a city is many things: and business leaders in Japan, China, initiatives such as a sustainable tour- only succeed if prosperity is shared. We’re working with the screen
young, energetic, passionate, diverse. the US and Australia, while we regu- ism partnership with New York City Auckland’s mayor and elected mem- industry and the Ministry of Social
Let’s seize the promise those qualities larly host inbound groups of both help Auckland connect with the best bers rightly expect Ateed — as Auck- Development to ensure our screen
offer to make sure Auckland has the corporate and individual investors and the brightest in the world. And land’s economic development companies have the workforce they
talent, capital and employment it from a range of countries. in 2021, the world is due to arrive on agency — to respond to our region’s need now and in the future, while
needs to build a sustainable future as We are a red-hot screen pro- our welcome mat. prosperity challenges. career pathways open up for people
New Zealand’s global city, and its duction location. This year, Amazon Auckland’s unprecedented events We share council’s priority trans- who might not have considered
economic and creative engine-room. Studios and Netflix — two of the year of 2021 — from the 36th formation areas in Auckland’s south working in the screen industry.
To make sure we are competitive world’s media giants — are in town America’s Cup at the start of the year, and west, and in Tāmaki. Part of that Auckland is transforming — let’s
in the near and long-term future, we to produce much-anticipated, large- right through to Apec 2021 Leaders is through attracting investment in work together to make sure its trans-
have to develop a future-ready budget, large-crew series: Amazon’s Week in November — is a galvanising “hard” development and infra- formation, development and events
workforce with the skills Auckland’s multi-season series of J.K. Tolkien’s catalyst, a year that will provide structure, and part through “soft” pro- of 2021 deliver the best they can for
crucial industries need to thrive, and Lord of the Rings and Netflix’s live- massive opportunities to connect jects around access of under- our people and our place.
the capital it needs to develop. action remake of the hit Japanese with investors and business leaders represented groups to training, skills ● Pam Ford is GM Economic
Ateed investment specialists have anime series Cowboy Bebop. from around the world. and — ultimately — jobs. Development, Auckland Tourism,
already helped to attract a series of They have booked studios for mul- With our Auckland Inc. and NZ Inc These are areas rich in human, Events & Economic Development
major hotels to Auckland to meet tiple years, and most of what they partners, we are in the midst of creative and cultural capital — all (Ateed)
Bebop boost for screen industry
The 10-episode first season of Cowboy between Netflix and Tomorrow This is a high-value production that
Bebop, a live-action version of the cult Studios (a partnership between Marty will bring new jobs, direct spend and
Japanese animated science fiction Adelstein and ITV Studios). global kudos. Auckland is also the main
series of the same name, will employ The series is from showrunners/ production base for Amazon Studios’
a crew of more than 400. executive producers Andre Nemec, streaming series based on The Lord
Announced last September, it is the Josh Appelbaum, Jeff Pinkner and of the Rings.
largest-ever for a television production Scott Rosenberg of Midnight Radio, Season two was confirmed prior to
in Auckland, and it is the first Netflix and executive producers Marty principal photography starting on the
Original series to be filmed in New Adelstein and Becky Clements of first season. It is being filmed at
Zealand. Tomorrow Studios; Yasuo Miyakawa, number of studios and locations
Its production base is an East Masayuki Ozaki, and Shin Sasaki of around Auckland. The Amazon Studios
Tamaki warehouse fitted out by Netflix Sunrise Inc; Tetsu Fujimura and series’ budget details, crew size, and
to meet its studio needs under an initial Matthew Weinberg, and executive full production plans have not been
two-year licence with Ateed, which has producer Christopher Yost — who will announced, but the production’s
leased the site for screen production write the first episode. anticipated scale is unprecedented for
use for five years. Netflix has not made A company of Netflix’s global New Zealand.
its series budget public. reputation choosing to film a major The two projects will deliver a
The series stars John Cho, Mustafa new series here is another huge vote massive boost for Auckland’s
Shakir, Daniella Pineda and Alex of confidence in the quality of economy and support a large number
Hassell, and is a co-production Auckland’s screen industry. of screen industry jobs. The cast of Cowboy Bebop, a Netflix Original series filmed in Auckland.
D6 nzherald.co.nz | The New Zealand Herald | Friday, March 6, 2020
Project Auckland
City of cones, cranes,
But it’s well worth
the pain, leading
engineer Barry
Potter tells
Fran O’Sullivan
T
he leading engineer in
charge of the massive re-
development of Auckland’s
City Centre is pretty darned
excited over the incredible trans-
formation that is happening all at one.
“I’ve got to say what’s going on in
the city centre has never happened
in my lifetime in New Zealand,” says
Barry Potter. “And I’ve lived almost
all my life in Auckland apart from a
few years overseas.
“We’ve got everything going on
down Quay St. We’ve got Albert St.
We’ve got midtown which is devel-
oping Karangahape Road. Then
America’s Cup and City Rail Link —
so the total spend is phenomenal.
“City Rail Link is $4.419 billion — I
know the number well — and on top
of that, well at the moment, we’ve got
probably about another 550 million
dollars’ worth of work underway
right now, but the total spend is up
to about a billion dollars on top of
CRL. And that includes Quay St.
It is a big challenge to deliver to
deadline 24 central city projects that
are all being worked on at once.
Potter is Auckland Council’s Direc-
tor of Infrastructure and Environ-
mental Services. This is a big role
overseeing Auckland’s stormwater
management; the programme man-
agement and funding agreements for
major housing infrastructure and for Victoria St was reduced to one lane each way due to roadworks earlier this year, causing major congestion. Photo / Jason Oxenham
the city centre public works; Auck-
land’s biosecurity, biodiversity and
low carbon programmes; Auckland’s Executive Steering Group
kerbside recycling, waste and ● Barry Potter (Chair)
organics programmes; coastal and ● Auckland Council: Representatives from Infrastructure & Environmental
foreshore erosion protection pro- Services division, Chief Planning Office, Development Programme Office,
grammes and other specialist Communications, Auckland Design Office and the Mayoral Office
services.
An engineer by trade, he has led ● Representatives from Auckland Transport, Panuku Development Auckland,
teams on significant infrastructure City Rail Link, Regional Facilities Auckland, Ports of Auckland, Mana
projects in New Zealand, Asia, South Whenua Kaitiaki Forum and Wynyard Edge Alliance/Ateed.
America and through the Pacific.
Some of the 24 projects are extra- Kaitiaki Forum, Wynyard Edge Al- Cup as a catalyst.
ordinarily complex. But a lot will be liance and Ateed. “That sets the end of the year
completed this year. Various project leader groups sit which means next summer will be a
”What’s quite difficult at the mo- under that. lot better. People will see we’ll have
ment, certainly the Downtown area, Inevitably there are frustrations. the works substantially complete.”
by the end of the year will be pretty The lines of red cones which dot By the time the Apec Leaders
spectacular,” Potter says. “The com- much of the Auckland CBD, walling Meeting is held in Auckland in
plexity comes because of the way off projects, are having an impact on November 2021, the Downtown pro-
they all interact with each other and the city and how people get around jects will be complete but the City Rail
that they have different deliveries on that. Link will still be under construction.
them. “We can talk a bit about some of “They will be doing Mt Eden station
“We’ve got City Rail Link being the things we’re doing there. and there is a big hole out the front
delivered by CRLL, we’ve got Quay “Acknowledging it has an impact of this building (135 Albert St) which
St being delivered by Auckland You’ll hear people say, ‘Well, why are we doing it all on businesses around, that requires they’ll be doing, as well.
Transport. We also have all this pri- a lot of interaction with the busi- “This part will be disrupted, though
vate sector stuff that’s going on — such in one go? What happens if you phase it out and nesses and some parts perhaps didn’t the way they’re building out here is
as Precinct with Commercial Bay.
“What that requires is a lot of
spread it over a longer time?’ And on the face of it get off to such a good start, and the
lessons out of that have been applied
a little bit different.
“The technology that they’re using
planning and coordination going that kind of seems like it might be a nice idea. The elsewhere. is called top-down construction.
amongst those groups and I’ve got to reality is different. Every time you stop a project and “Businesses down the bottom of What they do is cut walls into the
say the level of planning and the town are pretty happy.” ground, called diaphragm walls,
management structures to make sure put it on hold and restart it, costs go up because The upshot of the roading conges- which is similar to what the did on
they all interact and minimise the tion has been a much bigger uptake Albert St, and then they build the top
disruption as much as possible, works you’ve got disestablishment, reestablishment, that’s of public transport and more people slab over the top of that and then they
well. not cheap. When you leave it partially complete, you walking or using cycles; as Potter dig out underneath.”
“You still have disruption. You himself does travelling in from an Good coordination is key and Pot-
cannot avoid it. But it’s happening as still have the disruption but it goes on for a longer outer suburb on his e-bike. ter spends a lot of his time ensuring
quick as we can and the interaction time. So calls are being made: Let’s just get on and do “You’ll hear people say, ‘Well, why relationships between the parties are
between the groups is positive and are we doing it all in one go? What open and productive.
strong and I see that first-hand.” it, and get it out of the way. Part of that is using happens if you phase it out and On a day-to-day basis things do
The unusually clement Auckland
weather is also working to Potter’s
America’s Cup as a catalyst. That sets the end of the spread it over a longer time?’
“And on the face of it that kind of
come up.
“It takes close collaboration among
advantage. year which means next summer will be a lot better. seems like it might be a nice idea. The various teams to work out among
“There’s a number of things going People will see we’ll have the works substantially reality is different. themselves how to deal with prob-
in our favour. It’s been a fantastic “Every time you stop a project and lems such as getting equipment in.
construction season. It might not be complete. put it on hold and restart it, costs go “Think of lower Queen St, which
good for Auckland’s water, but from up because you’ve got disestablish- is very complex from a traffic per-
a construction perspective, we really Barry Potter ment, reestablishment, that’s not spective, because we’ve got three
do have a great season here of being cheap. When you leave it partially projects underway in the same loca-
able to achieve a lot.” division, the Chief Planning Office, executives (or their representatives) complete, you still have the disrup- tion,” he says.
Potter chairs an Auckland Council Development Programme Office, from Auckland Transport, Panuku tion but it goes on for a longer time. “We’ve got City Rail Link, we’ve got
executive steering group with repre- Communications, the Auckland De- Development Auckland, City Rail “So calls are being made: Let’s just Precinct, we’ve got Quay St.
sentatives from council’s Infra- sign Office and the Mayoral Office. Link, Regional Facilities Auckland, get on and do it, and get it out of the “These conversations that go
structure & Environmental Services The steering group also includes chief Ports of Auckland, Mana Whenua way. Part of that is using America’s around: ‘I need to get such and such
nzherald.co.nz | The New Zealand Herald | Friday, March 6, 2020 D7
Project Auckland
and congestion . . .
into my site, can you give it to me?’ smart stuff to make sure they hit their “But the move is to much more which will house America’s Cup
‘I can’t give it to you today, I’ll give deadlines”. pedestrianisation there and causes syndicates at Wynyard Point are be- Major Projects
it to you tomorrow’ … and that’s ● The seawall is under construc- questions about light rail.” ing completed. Now under way in Auckland’s City
working out all the time. And close tion in Quay St. There will ber more clarity when “Right now Prada is in there setting Centre Development Programme
collaboration. “That’s a big project. It’s complex. the Government announces its light up their structures on Hobson Wharf,” - America’s Cup infrastructure and
“That means that from our level, Very constrained. The seawalls are rail intentions later in the month. Potter says. team bases
we need to make sure the relation- essential because the previous one “I can imagine in our next 50 years “The other challengers are setting - City Rail Link
ships are strong and work together. had some pretty seismic issues with — which is longer than I’ll be around up on their bases over there, as well.” - Britomart Station
And you know, when things bump on it and heaven forbid we have a shake — you can see how the city’s going A big drain with huge pipes is being - Aotea Station
various projects, they know, that and you could lose Quay St into the to be changed, “ he says. “The City put in to improve water quality. - Karangahape Station
we’re there to help them through tide, that’s now being prevented.” Rail Link will be transformational. “That’s the real legacy of the - Mt Eden Station
that.” “If you walk down Albert St you Traffic planners talk of these travel America’s Cup — the water quality - Albert St upgrade
The big driver when it comes to can see what it’s going to be like. Walk times — you know, people like to live improvement and the floating infra- - Lower Queen St upgrade
setting the timeframe is the America’s down Quay St on the Southern side within 30 minutes of work. But they’ll structure pontoons which - Daldy St park
Cup regatta. of Quay St, you can see it taking place. go up to an hour. superyachts will tie up to. - Downtown programme
“We’ve got to have America’s Cup “It’s pretty neat. And I’m looking But if you look at industrial areas The focus has now shifted from - Quay St Strengthening
delivered,” says Potter. forward to the day the red cones are like Penrose then map out on a road building the infrastructure to - Ferry Basin Redevelopment
“It doesn’t move.” gone.” network say out to 30 minutes or 45 delivering the event.” - Downtown Public Space
He rattles through the relevant Other projects under way include minutes, we’re looking out past Mt There is a raft of major sporting - Quay St Enhancement
projects: the redevelopment of Karangahape Albert. Going the other way, coming events to come before the November - Lower Albert St Bus Interchange
● The Wynyard Alliance is Rd. Myers Park is next. from the West straight through.” 2021 Apec Leaders Meeting - Galway St Upgrade
delivering its infrastructure on time, Potter is enthusiastic about the “Next year’s going to be a fantastic - Federal St upgrade
or, ahead of time. “And looking on changes on Victoria St which will Getting ready for the America’s year,” says Potter. - High St upgrade
budget, or maybe even better” have a new cycle way and public Cup “I think America’s Cup and City Rail - Karangahape Road enhancements
● Downtown is on track for com- areas. Potter is confident that key infra- Link — both of them have provided - Tı̄ramarama Way
pletion at the end of this year. “ There There is a question over Queen St structure for the upcoming America’s catalyst for real change in Auckland. - Urunga Plaza
might be a little bit of tidying up in which was earlier mooted for light Cup is now in place. And then we’ve got Apec. - Victoria St cycleway
the New Year”. rail. Milestones have been hit for the “Next year’s going to be a monster. - Victoria St up
● The ferry terminal, that’s under He says the city centre masterplan development of Hobson Wharf and What a beauty. We’ll all be hungover - Westhaven Marine Village
way. “The teams are doing some is currently going through a refresh. new breakwaters. The base pads by Christmas, eh?”
D8 nzherald.co.nz | The New Zealand Herald | Friday, March 6, 2020
Project Auckland
Massive voyage under Sean Sweeney
C
ity Rail Link (CRL) is taking
its next big, exciting con-
struction step — one that I, as
the project’s chief executive,
describe as the start of a massive
voyage into uncertainty and engin-
eering complexity.
A piling rig has started the hefty
job of drilling holes deep into Mt Eden
soil for the first of 66 concrete piles
that will support a curving wall for
the southern portal or entranceway
to the two tunnels that will run all the
way to Britomart Station in lower
Queen St.
Mt Eden will be our “base camp”
for the biggest contract of CRL work
to complete the tunnels and stations,
and I’m not exaggerating when I say
it marks the launching pad for the
voyage into engineering uncertainty.
Nothing on this scale has been
undertaken before, certainly not in
Auckland and probably not in New
Zealand, since the massive hydro-
electric projects last century.
I doubt any of those projects would
have been undertaken with the cen-
tral city engineering complexity, dis-
ruption and scrutiny or the legislative
legacies — safety regulations for work-
ing underground in the wake of Pike
River is one example — that oversee
our work.
The $4.4 billion CRL project is a
transformational driver for Auck-
land’s future growth. It includes con-
struction of twin 3.45-kilometre-long
tunnels below the central city and
two underground stations connec-
ting dead-end Britomart with the
Western Line.
Train travel will be easier and
quicker and the number of people Backbreaking work! City Rail Link Ltd Chief Executive Dr Sean Sweeney (left), Auckland Mayor Phil Goff, and Transport Minister Phil Twyford put the first
within 30 minutes travel of the CBD spades into the ground at Mt Eden to mark the start of construction of the southern portal.
— New Zealand’s biggest employment
hub — will double.
Building the portal retaining wall
is one visible sign of the complexities City Rail Link
challenging my team. Before we ● $4.4 billion rail project
could start piling, some 30 buildings ● Twin 3.45km tunnels under
had to first be demolished — one 19th central city
Century colonial cottage was saved
— to clear the Mt Eden site. ● Two underground stations
It will take us 10 months to drill ● Who’s involved in the next
piles between 8 to 38 metres long to CRL stage: The Link Alliance,
support a retaining wall 127 metres a group of New Zealand and
long and 25 metres high. international companies with
Importantly, a completed site will a proven record of delivering
then become our launching pad — not large and complex
aimed vertically at the heavens but infrastructure.
at a more modest horizontal destina- The Link Alliance companies
tion, central Auckland. are Vinci Construction Grands
From Mt Eden, CRL’s Tunnel 10,000 tickets for the City Rail Link tunnel walk were snapped up in 15 minutes; one of Auckland’s oldest kauri Projets S.A.S., Downer NZ,
Boring Machine will set off on its two cottages was relocated to a new site when around 30 other buildings were demolished for the CRL project at Mt Eden. Soletanche Bachy
journeys up to 42 metres below cen- International NZ, WSP Opus
tral Auckland to complete its sections Nothing on this scale has ● Thousands of bore holes have integrating 3.45 kilometres of new (NZ), AECOM New Zealand and
of the tunnels. been punched into the ground along railway with the rest of the network. Tonkin + Taylor Limited
The machine will be our project been undertaken before, the project’s route to map soil One of CRL’s legacies will be the
star — mechanical muscle with a
combined weight of 1600 tonnes that
certainly not in Auckland conditions, but there still may be gaps
that impact on our tunnelling — last
upskilling of a workforce that will
benefit New Zealand long after we’ve
will help get our job done quicker. and probably not in New year we unexpectedly came across finished. I have a CRL team that includes
The tunnel boring machine is ar- Zealand, since the buried fragments of a tree that could I’m committed to opening the em- the best expertise from New Zealand
riving from China in sections next be as old as 40,000 years. ployment door for rangatahi — young and overseas, taking the next big step
spring to be reassembled in front of massive hydro-electric ● Building underground stations people — and giving them job oppor- of an outstanding project for
the portal. 400m long is an unknown engineer- tunities and support they may Aucklanders.
Early next year, it will start projects last century. ing challenge, as is navigating our struggle to get elsewhere. While CRL will deliver a world
worming its way 1.6 kilometres under tunnel boring machine through Auck- Mt Eden is one part of CRL’s largest class rail system necessary for Auck-
Auckland to the Aotea station and It will be an unknown journey of land’s volcanic foundations and drag- programme of work being delivered land’s future growth, I acknowledge
connect with the cut-and-cover many different parts. We’ve planned ging it across the huge holes dug for by the Link Alliance, a group of New its central city location makes the
tunnels we already have under con- it as best we can, but I know from the stations — not once, but twice. Zealand and international companies project impossible for Aucklanders to
struction from Britomart and along experience that you can’t nail every- And at the end of all that, perhaps with a proven record of delivering
Albert St. thing down. the most complex of all — safely large and complex infrastructure. continued on D9
What’s in a name? Choosing one that’s right for CRL project
New Zealanders are getting the chance name the tunnel-boring machine after tonnes and has a rotating cutter head Britomart Station and along the lower
to become involved in the CRL by an amazing New Zealand woman,” says 7.15 metres in diameter. It will start the end of Albert St. Apart from excavating
choosing a name for the project’s CRL chief executive Sean Sweeney. first of its two 1.6km drives from Mt the tunnels, the machiane will remove
tunnel-boring machine. “The machine will help create huge Eden to Aotea underground station in tunnel spoil by conveyor belt and install
The machine the Link Alliance will changes for Auckland and it deserves central Auckland next February. almost 15,000 concrete segments to
operate to complete the tunnels is the name of a New Zealand woman The underground journey will take line the tunnels.
being designed and built by German who, equally, has had an enormous nine months. The machine will then be It will have an underground crew of
company, Herrenknecht. By tradition, impact on our country.” returned to Mt Eden in sections, about 12 and at peak operation can
machines like tunnel borers carry a CRL’s machine will be built at reassembled, and its second drive is travel 32 metres a day.
woman’s name to honour St Barbara, Herrenknecht’s Guangzhou factory. It planned to start in January 2022. Herrenknecht also designed and
the patron saint and guardian of those will be delivered to the Link Alliance in At Aotea, the TBM-excavated built Alice, the machine used to
Alice, the machine that created the who work underground. “All New sections next September. The $13.5m tunnels will connect with the cut-and- construct Auckland’s Waterview
Waterview motorway tunnel. Zealanders are getting the chance to machine will be 130m long, weigh 1600 cover tunnels under construction from tunnel.
nzherald.co.nz | The New Zealand Herald | Friday, March 6, 2020 D9
Project Auckland
way for City Rail Link
continued from D8
ignore or avoid.
Disruption is the word that comes
to mind — disruption and more dis-
ruption!
Busy intersections are being
closed in central Auckland to traffic,
public transport schedules are being
revamped, and bus services diverted.
The Mt Eden station will close later
this year for redevelopment and we
will not reopen it until the project’s
end in 2024.
Communication has become just
as important a tool to our planners
and builders as a complicated tunnel-
One of CRL’s legacies will The cleared Mt Eden site where
CRL’s southern portal is under
be the upskilling of a construction; (above) the route the
workforce that will CRL Tunnel Boring Machine will
take on its two journeys from Mt
benefit New Zealand Eden to Aotea in central Auckland
long after we’ve finished. hape Road, Aotea in the central city,
and Britomart and the lower end of
boring machine or a simple spade. Albert St. Beyond the project’s bound-
We get fantastic support from aries, we are working with KiwiRail
Aucklanders and I don’t intend to lose on changes to the wider Auckland rail
that. network to accommodate a new gen-
Our close partnership with Auck- eration of train services.
land Council, Auckland Transport I encourage people to look beyond
and KiwiRail has some very direct the temporary inconvenience of dis-
goals to keep the city working and ruption and diversion. Auckland’s fu-
moving — “business as usual” train ture, I believe, will benefit greatly
services while the Western Line re- from CRL — much better transport
mains open during the Mt Eden choices, outstanding stations with
station closure is one successful out- uniquely New Zealand designs, nicer
come of that co-operation. and more friendly streets, a smarter
I know that one key to building a workforce, and an economic windfall
successful CRL is making sure from jobs and a housing and commer-
Aucklanders know what is going on, cial building boom to come with my
and to give them time to plan ahead. project’s development.
CRL is a project being constructed ● Dr Sean Sweeney is chief executive
on several fronts: Mt Eden, Karanga- of City Rail Link.
D10 nzherald.co.nz | The New Zealand Herald | Friday, March 6, 2020
Project Auckland
Designing a sustainable
Warren and Mahoney Architects and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei have combined forces to provide a vision
integrating nature and culture for the eastern part of downtown Auckland, reports Graham Skellern
A
uckland is busy enriching railway station and Spark Arena but way station is the right spot. The
its city centre to host and also includes the 72ha of the adjacent water’s edge should have green space
impress thousands of visi- Ports of Auckland waterfront land — and the flexibility to hold markets and
tors arriving for two import- should it become available — and public events.
ant international events in 2021 — the Ngāti Whātua is lining up a consor- He says Warren and Mahoney was
America’s Cup and Apec culminating tium to buy the downtown port land. delighted to receive a mandate from
in the leaders’ summit. Warren and Mahoney’s intention Ngāti Whātua to draw up a
The Commercial Bay retail, office is to create multi-modal connections masterplan as an integrated whole,
and hospitality precinct at the bottom (walking, cycling and public trans- rather than development being done
of Queen Street is opening. Quay port) on the eastern end of the city in bits and pieces like before.
Street is having a makeover. The centre, and by emphasising nature The masterplan is a set of prin-
luxury five-star Park Hyatt Hotel on and culture integrate the mixed-use ciples — of sustainability and wanting
the water’s edge will soon be development that has taken place in to be physically green to enhance and
accepting guests as the Wynyard Britomart and on the western side of develop the natural environment of
Quarter continues to transform with Queen St, including the Viaduct and Auckland, and create a place where
its architecturally designed office Wynyard Quarter. people feel they are close to nature.
buildings and apartment complexes. “The eastern part of the city centre Quay St is vital. It is the boundary
The City Rail Link (CRL) is pushing is dominated by infrastructure — rail, between two significant land
through. The New Zealand Interna- road and the port,” says Coop. “It’s low holdings (the port and Ngāti Whā-
tional Convention Centre (NZICC) and density and its present use is blocked tua’s) and it should be used not as a
its accompanying precinct is to people wanting to enjoy city life separating but a unifying element. It
underway. Cycleways, laneways and We need to keep asking “We need to continue developing — such as taking a walk to the water- can become the new front door of
pedestrian-friendly streets are pop- the city centre with a sustainable and front or a jog to Mission Bay.” Auckland, said Coop.
ping up. ourselves how we can social perspective that makes it a safe The area has an absolute jewel in Under the masterplan the land
By 2021 the city centre will have
a new vibrant edge. “Next year is
get 250,000 people living and exciting place to live and work
in. We want the whole city centre to
the old railway station, a heritage
building that needs to be unlocked.
from The Strand across Quay Park
and Quay St to the waterfront would
exciting but it’s only the beginning,” in Auckland’s city centre. be the people’s place.” With care and attention, it can play be landscaped to form easy
says John Coop, managing director of Warren and Mahoney worked a key role in Auckland life, Coop says. connections for cycling and walking.
Warren and Mahoney Architects. John Coop with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to design “The land around the station can The substantial pedestrian and cycle
“The visions of the 1990s are coming a comprehensive masterplan of pub- be developed with hotels and mixed traffic would support the mixed-use
to fruition with the likes of Commer- “In 1994 there were 1500 people lic spaces called Te Tōangaroa for the housing, and the station itself can be development that was necessary to
cial Bay, NZICC and CRL. living in the city centre; now there are eastern side of the city centre — from regenerated as part of a significant sustain economic and social activity.
“It has involved long-term thinking 70,000 and the number is due to the Auckland University campus sport and recreation precinct. Overall, the masterplan
and investment, and the public and double,” says Coop. “So what’s next down Anzac Ave to Mechanics Bay “The building could be a support- intersperses green open spaces with
private sector working together. It has — the eastern gateway? We want 2021 and from lower Parnell and The ing amenity for a new city stadium commercial development and
been a wonderful coming together to be the beginning. Because of the Strand across to Britomart. The built behind it.” announces the return of swimming,
that has unlocked part of the water- development on the western side, we timeline for development is 20-50 Having a stadium on the water’s kayaking and other water-based
front and enhanced inner city living are halfway there; we just need to years. edge is putting it in the wrong direc- activities in the Waitematā Harbour.
— with the unitary plan providing for keep going. We can have 2km of the The masterplan centres on Ngāti tion, says Coop. Creating more in- The commercial development,
greater density. most incredible water’s edge. Whātua’s 20 hectares around the old tense development around the rail- similar to Wynyard Quarter, won’t
MORE TRAINS
BETTER CONNECTIONS
FASTER JOURNEYS
BRITOMART STATION - CRL
Ferry Terminal
Historic Chief
Post Office
Redeveloped
Lower Queen Street
Britomart Station
entrances
Connects to the
Platforms long enough existing rail network
CITY RAIL LINK TUNNELS for nine-car trains
Continues 3.45km underground to
Mt Eden Station via the new Aotea
and Karangahape Stations
Follow the progress at progressakl.co.nz
AUCKLAND’S FUTURE IN PROGRESS
We’re removing the dead-end at Britomart
to open up Auckland’s entire rail network.
CRLL0303You can also read
