Cabinet minister Shane Jones has come out swinging against Ports of Auckland’s proposal to build a carpark and hotel on the city’s waterfront.
The carpark would store imported vehicles until they are processed, instead of having them lined up in public view, while there would be a public park on top and five-star hotel on Quay St.
“This is a deliberate undermining of the Government’s upper North Island ports strategy study,” Jones says, referring to a proposal which was released in February.
“I’ve asked officials in [the Ministry of] Transport for advice on what statutory powers we have to prevent the carpark,” he told the NZ Herald.
The Upper North Island Supply Chain Study is a working party looking at the future of existing ports and transport infrastructure.
Jones’ comments were prompted by Herald columnist Simon Wilson’s views published today.
“This carpark makes a mockery of all the plans to beautify and modernise Auckland as an international destination. To put a six-level carparking building on grossly subsidised land … as a NZ First MP and a member of Cabinet, I find that grossly offensive,” Jones says.
Auckland mayor Phil Goff told the Herald under the Port Companies Act that Auckland Council couldn’t interfere with the port’s commercial operations.
Ports of Auckland wouldn’t comment to AutoTalk on Jones or Wilson’s statements.
