Len Brown's vision for Auckland unveiled

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Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:00p.m.

The Government says the mayor's ambitious plans haven't taken long to conceive

The Government says the mayor's ambitious plans haven't taken long to conceive

By Jesse Peach

Multi-billion dollar plans to improve Auckland have been released today by the city's mayor.

His idea is to make it the most liveable city in the world within 30 years, but he doesn't know how it would be paid for.

Mayor Len Brown has announced a vision on a grander scale for the waterfront, currently being used as ‘party central’ for the Rugby World Cup. He wants it to be given a $5.5 billion overhaul, and he wants it completed within 30 years.

The Government says the mayor's ambitious plans haven't taken long to conceive.

“This spatial plan is the fastest to be prepared anywhere in the world,” says Local Government Minister Rodney Hide.

The council concedes Auckland is two whole decades behind Melbourne’s development, but it believes the proposal will somehow leap-frog Auckland ahead of the Australian city.

The vision is grand, more green space, pedestrians taking over some roads, waterfront boulevards, and an ambitious public transport system.

Mayor Brown says the goal is to make Auckland the most liveable city in the world in his lifetime.  

Central to the plan is his rail strategy which will see the inner city link completed by 2020, then a rail loop to the airport by 2040.

The draft plan is open for public submissions until the end of October.

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Comments

21 Sep 2011 12:16a.m.

Rodney Chapman wrote:

When Len Brown began his job as Mayor of Auckland, he announced that one of his goals would be to have a highly efficient rail/transportation system in place for everyone to use. What did he really do? The first thing he did was almost double his salary and the same for almost everyone on the Council. Next, he almost DOUBLED the rates for Aucklanders....and NOW?.....he has made himself the laughing stock of New Zealand AND thousands of tourists that will soon go home and never return to New Zealand. His poor judgment and incompetence as a leader and community planner has proven that he is not worthy of leading Auckland as a Mayor. We as Aucklanders will suffer his increase in rates and a poorly designed transportation infrastructure for years to come. This Mayor needs to have his salary cut in half at the very least. I myself think his only option is to resign from office. Now here he goes again without a clue where the $$$ will come from!

21 Sep 2011 12:05a.m.

Davo wrote:

He can start by making the place cheaper to live.

21 Sep 2011 12:02a.m.

Email wrote:

Go Len, for putting forward an ambitious plan for expanding Rail. It has been a long time since any mayor has had the guts to push for this critical need.

20 Sep 2011 11:43p.m.

Robyn Berry-Luke wrote:

Is there an up to date map of the rail corridors being planned for the Auckland rail links. I think I may be next to a rail corridor in Freemans Bay. Please let me know if you have any maps or proposals.