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Council blocks Ports of Auckland’s plan to further reclaim Waitemata Harbour
Ports of Auckland’s plans to expand Waitemata Harbour have been denied by the Auckland Plan Committee.
The council committee amended the draft Unitary Plan, making further reclamation a ‘non-complying’ activity, and ordered a comprehensive study to more fully appraise the long-term future of the port land.
“The Unitary Plan has raised some contentious issues but none more divisive than filling in more of our unique harbour,” said Devonport-Takapuna Local Board chair Chris Darby, who has worked closely with the Mayor’s office and Heart of the City to achieve a resolution.
“I’m relieved to see sanity prevail and council reach this bold decision, for the sake of the city and all Aucklanders,” said Darby.
“We grew up as a port city relying upon sea freight but now we are an international harbour-edge city that recognises the importance of protecting the harbour and gulf from encroachment.”
“The port company has been given an unequivocal message that contemplating more port sprawl into our harbour is unacceptable. It’s now time for all Aucklanders to participate in a comprehensive study of what our unique waterfront might offer us over the next 50-100 years.”
“The days of incremental reclamation over two centuries are over.”
