If I ignored the people crawling like ants up the Sydney Harbour bridge I could imagine that I am back in Newcastle Upon Tyne where I spent many happy years living soon after I left University and got my first job. I couldn’t help but think wistfully of those nights I’d staggered around bars and clubs along the Tyne Quayside area and how like Sydney Newcastle turned desperate, neglected industrial zones into swanky apartments and hotels. I’m all for urban regeneration preferably in keeping with the history and culture of the place.
Foot slogging around the area in Sydney I was reminded again how much I miss stone buildings and heritage architecture. I know that it’s not a practical nor safe proposition to build such architecture in the earthquake threatened zone of Wellington but it doesn’t stop me hoping for the Wellington harbour area to be developed in a way that befits it’s natural beauty and creates an environment that Wellingtonians can be truly proud of. It seems such a shame Wellington l has to rely on special events and Tolkien to define our cultural heritage. But on a good day, you can’t beat it!
