Month: August 2015

Public to Get Their Say on Aotea Quarter

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Committee Approves Plan to head to wider public consultation

After the near shock of Councillor Mike Lee just about resigning on the spot (yes things got testy today) the Auckland Development Committee resolved to send out to the public for consultation the development plans for Aotea Quarter.

From Auckland Council:

Opportunities abound for future of Aotea Quarter

Aucklanders will be asked to help shape a new framework to evolve the area around Aotea Square into a thriving cultural hub, servicing the whole of Auckland.

The Auckland Development Committee today approved a consultation paper on the ‘Aotea Quarter Framework’, which will go out for public feedback in September and October.

Committee deputy chair and political design champion Chris Darby says: “Many great things are already happening in the quarter, including laneways, events and upgrades to Myers Park. When the new Aotea Station is created – along with the City Rail Link and bus improvements – this area will become very well connected: north, south, east and west.

“This is going to create huge opportunities for the area to really lift its game and become the cultural and entertainment hub for all Auckland,” Councillor Darby says.

The consultation programme is set to include public walking tours, focus groups and opportunities to have your say online at Shape Auckland. Questions will include how the quarter can better fulfil its region-wide role, how to get more families living in the area, which parts need to be made safer or better for pedestrians and how some of the sites around the area could be better used.

While the consultation is underway, in the first week of September the council will also be putting a call out to developers who want to express an interest in the Civic Administration Building, which has now been vacated by council staff.

The council has agreed a number of requirements for the Expression of Interest (EOI) process, including restoring the building’s heritage values, sustainable design and recognising Te Aranga Maori design principles.

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Consultation is due to start next month.

New ATEED Director Named

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Auckland Uni Vice Chancellor names as new Board Director of ATEED

From the Office of the Mayor Len Brown

Education leader joins ATEED board

One of New Zealand’s most respected educators has been appointed a director of Auckland Council’s economic growth agency.

University of Auckland Vice-Chancellor Professor Stuart McCutcheon has joined the board of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) – the council-controlled organisation (CCO) responsible for helping deliver economic transformation and Auckland Council’s vision to become the world’s most liveable city.

Council’s CCO Governance and Monitoring Committee approved Professor McCutcheon’s appointment at its July meeting and the appointment brings the board up to its full complement of seven.

Mayor Len Brown says he’s delighted Professor McCutcheon has joined the ATEED Board. “Under Professor McCutcheon’s watch, the commercial potential of Auckland University research has been unlocked. He will bring to bear a perfect range of experience to help ATEED’s ongoing transformation of Auckland’s economy.”

Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse who chairs the CCO Governance and Monitoring Committee says Professor McCutcheon’s academic achievements in science are renowned. “His career has revealed a large and sharp capability in education governance and he will make a very valuable contribution to the ATEED Board.”

ATEED Chair David McConnell says: “I look forward to the real strengths and wise counsel Professor McCutcheon will undoubtedly bring to ATEED’s governance – particularly around our priority to develop an effective strategic relationship with Auckland’s world-class tertiary institutions.”

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Just remember ATEED is not the flavour of the month with Auckland ratepayers with 27,000 Long Term Plan submitters wanting ATEED’s budget slashed and the Governing Body of Auckland Council doing the exact opposite.