Creating paradise out of Wellington's 'tar-sealed wasteland'

The waterfront is considered the jewel in the crown of Wellington city and as such has special planning rules which give the public the right to a say about every proposed development.

But Wellington City Council wants to change its District Plan so three buildings sites on Kumutoto Wharf, north of the Meridian building, have pre-approved height and bulk limits.

The council said the move would give certainty about what could go on the waterfront. Opponents say this takes away the public's right to be consulted on new developments.

Three independent commissioners were told this week what people and organisations had to say about the proposed rule changes.

The commissioners are expected to come back with a decision on whether the council should change its rulebook within the next few months.

However, if they approved the change, it is possible that opponents would challenge the decision in the Environment Court.

The call for the change comes eight years after the failed Variation 17, which, in part, would have transformed northern Kumutoto Wharf by covering 65 per cent of its space with buildings.

A public uproar forced an embarrassing about-turn by the council in 2001. Soon after, a new plan change was passed, providing more green space and protecting heritage sites.

AT A GLANCE

* All buildings proposed for the waterfront currently have a zero height limit. Therefore there must be a public consultation process for all proposed buildings.

* But Variation 11 would set prescribed height and bulk limits for Kumutoto Wharf.

* Three buildings are planned at heights of 30m, 25.5m and 17.5m.

* The variation would allow council to let the buildings be 15% higher.

* The public would not be consulted over the new developments.

WHAT MAYOR KERRY PRENDERGAST SAYS

Variation 11 to the District Plan aims to help transform the bleak, inhospitable and underutilised northern Kumutoto section of the waterfront into an area that is busy, vibrant and attractive to the public.

The intent of Variation 11 stems directly from the Wellington Waterfront Framework formulated in 2001 and was specifically mentioned in the document.

The framework was the subject of extensive public engagement and continues to be the council's blueprint for development on the waterfront.

The council continues to believe that a mixture of buildings and public spaces is the best way of transforming the area from the tar-sealed wasteland that it is now. Variation 11 proposes that buildings up to a moderate height would benefit the area and help link it to the CBD.

It would give Wellingtonians a degree of certainty about the sort of buildings that could go up in the Kumutoto area.

The experience with the Meridian building and the public areas around it, and the fact it has proven popular with the public, gives the council confidence that it is on the right track and that the continuing development of the waterfront has the support of most Wellingtonians.

Variation 11 is of course being considered by three independent commissioners and their decision is expected in the next few months.

MAORI SETTLEMENT

Kumutoto Wharf takes its name from the Kumutoto area, which ceased to exist as an occupied Maori settlement in 1853.

Wellington Tenths Trust spokesman Morrie Love says the reason behind the area being called Kumutoto is "lost in the mists of time".

However, he confirmed that kumu can mean bum and toto means blood vessel so the name could refer to a bloody bum.

"It could be that someone in battle was wounded [in the bum] and it took its name from that."

But Mr Love says taking literal interpretations of Maori words often gives the wrong intent. He cites Paraparaumu as an example.

"Parapara means rubbish, umu is an oven so it sounds like it means the rubbish of the earth's oven. That is not very romantic but in reality it means a place of such abundance of seafood that there were scraps everywhere from the cooking ovens."

WHAT THE PUBLIC SAY

Nicci Price, Island Bay

Fears the public won't have a voice as the waterfront's future is decided. "The public didn't get a say in Te Papa. Like it or loathe it, it stands as a monument to lack of consultation."

Dr Tim Halpine, Wilton

Says Wellington City Council lacks transparency. "This should be an open process, not a closed one."

Aroha Symonds, Roseneath

Worries there have already been too many attempts to push plans through that ratepayers do not agree with. "All decisions should be completely transparent, and the citizens of Wellington have a right to be consulted."

Peter Graham, Paparangi

Fears public input on waterfront plans will be blocked. "The waterfront is seen as a special place for Wellington. All proposals for changes on the waterfront must be dealt with through an open process."

Tanya Ashken, Island Bay

Says there is no need for any more buildings on the waterfront. "People continue to like fiddling and changing areas that do not need to be changed."

Frances Williamson, Khandallah

Concerned the public will have no chance to make submissions on waterfront plans. "Public submissions can ... be very helpful, and to muzzle public input would be contrary to open democracy."

Colin Blair, president, Oriental Bay Residents Association

Sees waterfront as a special public place and that new buildings should be acceptable to residents and ratepayers. "Developers should be prepared to face significant processes, including public input, before being granted the right to build on unique waterfront sites."

Pamela Cubey, Karori

Says the council already has too much authority over waterfront plans. "There are already too many buildings ... that restrict views of the harbour."

Elaine Cleland, Mt Victoria

Says the waterfront is public land, and fears that Waitangi Park and Queens Wharf would be hemmed in by stifling construction. "In time the regrets would be enormous."

Waterfront Watch president Pauline Swann

Sees Variation 11 as an attempt to avoid legal action over new buildings on waterfront. "This has the effect of shutting the public out of the development process."

Jean Chapman, Crofton Downs,

Concerned at plans to relax height limits for new buildings. "This is a very special part of Wellington and developers should have to go through a process to build in this area."

Frances Lee, Ngaio

Wants more access to public space, and says proposed heights and building footprints for the Kumutoto area are too big. "Overall I oppose the way WCC seemingly proposes to hijack developments along the whole waterfront by excluding public comment as much as possible."

Ronald England, Newlands

Wants the waterfront defined as a special ecological zone. "All clauses ... show unbelievable ignorance of the Wellington Waterfront. They are an abomination."

Georgina Preston, Kelburn

Concerned at possibility of new buildings being approved without public consultation. "Wellington waterfront is a very special part of the city. Any proposal to build on it ... needs to be considered both on its merits and how it fits the whole."

Michael Taylor, Kingston

Says Variation 11 will weaken controls on development. "I often visit the waterfront during my lunch break and feel proud to show my visitors the waterfront as one of the highlights of our magnificent city."

Ken New, Brooklyn

Says Variation 11 will restrict public participation in the planning process, and allow more buildings on the waterfront.

"The Wellingtonians I know do not want more buildings there, especially as the existing ones are under-utilised."

Christine McCarthy, past president, Wellington Architectural Centre

Says waterfront too precious to risk. "We love and cherish it ... it is the place we must be most serious about."

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