Vision of a woodland Wellington waterfront

Forget about $400,000 designer dunnies and more buildings on the waterfront – the area should instead become a "recreational forest" criss-crossed with rollerskating paths and tree-top viewing platforms.

That suggestion is among more than 60 submissions received by Wellington City Council on its draft Waterfront Development Plan.

The plan recommends the temporary installation of an ice-skating rink on Queens Wharf, a tent-like centre for indoor soccer between Waitangi Park and Te Papa, and a campervan park opposite Whitmore St.

The new proposals temporarily replace major waterfront developments that have been delayed for up to five years because of the recession.

The delay was to have seen Wellington Waterfront development group become redundant and developments come back to the council in July next year. The time frame was extended till 2012 in the draft plan so the projects could be completed.

The Whitmore St site is also being considered for a five-star Hilton hotel, one of three commercial buildings planned for north Kumutoto Wharf.

Independent commissioners are also considering a variation to the council's planning rules that would pre-approve the maximum size of buildings on the three Kumutoto sites. A decision is expected next month.

If the variation is approved, it would essentially prevent opponents from appealing to the Environment Court over the buildings approved by the council for each site.

Three long-planned "transition buildings" around Waitangi Park are also part of the draft waterfront document. A Michel Tuffery Nga Kina sculpture of kina-shaped concrete structures attached to the seabed at Kumutoto is included. So too are $400,000 designer dunnies which, according to some, resemble an aardvark or crayfish tail.

But Katy Brown, from Kilbirnie, said in her submission that waterfront projects would add to the city's carbon footprint and the council should consider what she calls "a recreational forest".

"It could have huge community input, involvement [and] ownership, education about pros and cons of a plethora of tree types, roller skating paths all over the place, [and] lots of sunny platforms where people could look out over treetops and oceans."

Waterfront Watch president Pauline Swann said in the group's submission that it supported a council decision to extend the implementation of the waterfront project over 10 years. "[But] Waterfront Watch does not support proposals to build the designer toilets, temporary ice skating rink [and] the temporary tensile structure."

The council will hear oral submissions on the plan next month.

PUBLIC SUBMISSIONS

Ice skating rink, Queens Wharf, beside TSB Arena, during winter months.

Vaughan Wilson, of Normandale: "The proposal has the potential to act as a hub and pull more people on to the waterfront."

Margarete McGrath, Kelburn: "This is a great concept which would work well in a currently under-utilised space."

Peter Graham, Paparangi: "The proposal for an ice skating rink on Queens Wharf is ridiculous."

Grant Watkins, Te Aro: "An ice rink will provide people with an alternative to existing bars and restaurants."

Kumutoto Wharf, estimated cost $400,000

Frances Lee, Ngaio: "It is inappropriate and freakish."

Stuart Gardyne, Roseneath: "Will people be able to identify these easily as toilets?"

Sue Paterson, CBD: "The design approach ... is preferable to a standard toilet facility in this location."

Anne Ryan, Miramar: "They look like a forlorn transplant from Disneyland."

- © Fairfax NZ News