Aucklanders who think it’s safe to go down to the waterfront again after the “compromise” over the Bledisloe terminal extensions must think again.
While the political face-off between the Auckland Council and its unruly commercial offspring, Ports of Auckland Ltd, played out, bureaucrats, consultants and planning lawyers were engaged in a behind-the-scenes process that will be more far-reaching.
That tussle will peak next week when opposing parties put their case for rules in the Auckland Unitary Plan to cover the port precinct.
While the resource consents granted for wharf extensions under current planning rules face a High Court challenge next month, the Unitary Plan will set the framework for port development for the next decade or more.
