Location location location?
22/02/2006 12:00:00 a.m.
THE contentious siting of a proposed waterfront Maori meeting
house(wharenui) right beside the rowing clubs, and a Hilton hotel on
Queen’s Wharf has Councillor Ian McKinnon deeply concerned.
He says it’s possibly too late for the rowing clubs but it’s not too late for the Hilton.
McKinnon says that if the proposed wharenui (which already has resource consent) goes ahead it will use much of the area beside the rowingclubs, making it very difficult for rowers
Councillor McKinnon, a member of the (Henley on Thames) Leander Rowing Club, has coached rowing at King’s College in Auckland, England’s Eton College, and Wanganui Collegiate (where he was headmaster) says he is a committed Wellingtonian and is seriously concerned for the future of the 100-year-old clubs.
“The simple reality is that rowers must have ample outdoor space and ease of vehicle access for the manoeuvring of boats and for coach and rowers to get to training.
Also, their popular function facilities which contribute so much to club finances, require space to operate.” McKinnon says.
Usually a strong supporter of Wellington Waterfront Limited he says“Credit for the excitement of the waterfront today must go to WWL.”
“WWL wants a variety of activities and facilities on the waterfront. But one doesn’t expand the number of activities by jeopardising the existence of present activities”.
Another WWL development, which he says raises more questions than support, is the proposed Hilton Hotel.
“It will impact on other activities on Queen’s Wharf, not just the sport in Shed One but also the several restaurants in the area which have an atmosphere of real liveliness, often into the small hours.”
He predicts the noise from clubs and restaurants below will create problems as will access problems. “The Hotel will be just like innercity apartment dwellers complaining about the noise and smells of long established restaurants.”
McKinnon suggests the Hilton “could be much better sited on the Overseas Terminal while the wharenui would be much better adjacent to Te Papa.
He adds “both developments will spoil harbour views – from Civic Square, and looking towards Te Papa along the waterfront”
The councillor assures Capital Times it is not unusual for him to be siding with other councillors who also oppose the development of the Hilton at Queen’s Wharf.
“I’m an issue by issue person, I can’t be categorised to left or to the right. I just think all questions should be asked,” McKinnon says.
Mound or Wharewaka?
The popular embankment beside the Star and Wellington Rowing Clubs lagoon is at risk.
Crowded with Wellingtonians during last Thursday’s council organised Hexstatic concert and the weekend’s Hula Lagoona, it is proposed to replace the “mound” with a wharewaka by the edge of the lagoon. Council organised events such as those will have to go elsewhere if the wharewaka (canoe house), a building to keep and show off Maori war canoes, goes ahead.
Reclaiming the seabed to prevent the construction of the planned Hilton hotel,Waterfront Watch is calling on the government to take ownership of the seabed underlying Queen’s Wharf so it can’t be sold.
The organisation also asked the government to take back ownership of the freehold titles beneath the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
Title to the area of seabed under the wharves was transferred to the city council when the Wellington Harbour Board was dissolved.Waterfront Watch will meet with Marion Hobbs next week to seek her support. They also plan to meet Wellington-based List MPs Mark Blumsky,Sue Kedgley and Peter Dunne.
He says it’s possibly too late for the rowing clubs but it’s not too late for the Hilton.
McKinnon says that if the proposed wharenui (which already has resource consent) goes ahead it will use much of the area beside the rowingclubs, making it very difficult for rowers
Councillor McKinnon, a member of the (Henley on Thames) Leander Rowing Club, has coached rowing at King’s College in Auckland, England’s Eton College, and Wanganui Collegiate (where he was headmaster) says he is a committed Wellingtonian and is seriously concerned for the future of the 100-year-old clubs.
“The simple reality is that rowers must have ample outdoor space and ease of vehicle access for the manoeuvring of boats and for coach and rowers to get to training.
Also, their popular function facilities which contribute so much to club finances, require space to operate.” McKinnon says.
Usually a strong supporter of Wellington Waterfront Limited he says“Credit for the excitement of the waterfront today must go to WWL.”
“WWL wants a variety of activities and facilities on the waterfront. But one doesn’t expand the number of activities by jeopardising the existence of present activities”.
Another WWL development, which he says raises more questions than support, is the proposed Hilton Hotel.
“It will impact on other activities on Queen’s Wharf, not just the sport in Shed One but also the several restaurants in the area which have an atmosphere of real liveliness, often into the small hours.”
He predicts the noise from clubs and restaurants below will create problems as will access problems. “The Hotel will be just like innercity apartment dwellers complaining about the noise and smells of long established restaurants.”
McKinnon suggests the Hilton “could be much better sited on the Overseas Terminal while the wharenui would be much better adjacent to Te Papa.
He adds “both developments will spoil harbour views – from Civic Square, and looking towards Te Papa along the waterfront”
The councillor assures Capital Times it is not unusual for him to be siding with other councillors who also oppose the development of the Hilton at Queen’s Wharf.
“I’m an issue by issue person, I can’t be categorised to left or to the right. I just think all questions should be asked,” McKinnon says.
Mound or Wharewaka?
The popular embankment beside the Star and Wellington Rowing Clubs lagoon is at risk.
Crowded with Wellingtonians during last Thursday’s council organised Hexstatic concert and the weekend’s Hula Lagoona, it is proposed to replace the “mound” with a wharewaka by the edge of the lagoon. Council organised events such as those will have to go elsewhere if the wharewaka (canoe house), a building to keep and show off Maori war canoes, goes ahead.
Reclaiming the seabed to prevent the construction of the planned Hilton hotel,Waterfront Watch is calling on the government to take ownership of the seabed underlying Queen’s Wharf so it can’t be sold.
The organisation also asked the government to take back ownership of the freehold titles beneath the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
Title to the area of seabed under the wharves was transferred to the city council when the Wellington Harbour Board was dissolved.Waterfront Watch will meet with Marion Hobbs next week to seek her support. They also plan to meet Wellington-based List MPs Mark Blumsky,Sue Kedgley and Peter Dunne.
