Latest America’s Cup base plan saves tens of millions
Team NZ boss says it could work but problems still exist
Asuper city final agreement for the America’s Cup bases in Auckland is in sight under a new plan which is tens of millions of dollars cheaper than earlier proposals.
Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton said it looks like the plan could work, but there are still problems that need to be resolved.
Two groups pushing for a landbased solution have vowed to oppose the latest plan, saying it is unacceptable because it creates a concrete extension into the harbour the size of a rugby field.
Economic Development Minister David Parker said he was pleased the Government, Auckland Council and Team New Zealand are closer to an agreement on the shape of a worldclass venue to host the 36th America’s Cup in Auckland.
“There have been plenty of wind shifts through the process of these discussions.
“There are still important details to work through and we are continuing to seek the lowest-cost option with the smallest intrusion into the harbour, as has been our stated objective from the start,” he said.
The new option, known as “PointHalsey”, has an approximate cost of $140 million, between $15m and $35m cheaper than earlier options. It envisages a 9900sq m extension to Halsey Wharf, compared with other intrusions of 22,800sq m.
The Point-Halsey option involves
Wynyard Pt t S n o m u a e B Halsey Wharf JellicoeSt
moving a double base for Team New Zealand from a 75m extension on Hobson Wharf to Halsey Wharf. A second double base will be located on Halsey Wharf and additional bases on Wynyard Point as syndicates are confirmed.
Dalton said the Government presented it with the latest plan last week.
“On the face of it and to the layman’s eye it looks like it could work.
“In the limited time we have had to look into the detail we see that there are some problems that need to be addressed.”
Dalton said the need to negotiate the removal of extra tanks from Wynyard Point — the Government has already negotiated with Stolthaven to remove some tanks — along with remedial work — was complex and time consuming.
“We, along with Government and council, have concerns about the works timetable and availability of specialist construction resource in an already stretched environment. The Government is seeking a second ex-
Princess Wharf Hobson Wharf
pert opinion on the timetable issue and we support them in doing this.
“There is little point in agreeing to a plan that can’t be delivered on time,” he said.
Dalton was “a bit pissed off” at the decision to move a permanent base for Team New Zealand to Halsey Wharf, saying Parker had given a commitment for the base being on Hobson Wharf.
“He has been forced by Viaduct Harbour Holdings’ threat to disrupt the resource consent process to back away from that commitment and move our base to the eastern end of Halsey wharf,” said Dalton.
Viaduct Harbour Holdings is the company which owns about 20ha of land at Wynyard Quarter and Viaduct Harbour. Last month, it presented its own plan for the cup bases.
Parker said that in a face to face meeting in February he had assured Dalton that Team New Zealand would not be forced on to Wynyard Point and that he (Dalton) was assured of a prime position, saying “to the victor the spoils”.
Parker believes the Point-Halsey option meets that pledge. “None of this is ideal,” said Dalton, saying Team New Zealand would continue to work through the challenges to see the event in Auckland in 2020-21.
“It’s where our home is and where our heart is,” said Dalton, adding Team New Zealand is meeting with challengers in Europe at the end of the month and confirmation of Auckland as a venue and the class rule are eagerly awaited by them.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff welcomed Team New Zealand’s acknowledgment that the latest base option was workable, saying he was hoping a final agreement could be reached in the next couple of weeks before being presented to the governing body for approval.
“The America’s Cup will be fantastic for New Zealand.
“We want Auckland to host the Cup, and council and government are working with Emirates Team New Zealand to ensure that we can provide the infrastructure in a timely manner and deliver an incredible event,” Goff said.
Stop Stealing Our Harbour and Viaduct Harbour Holdings have said the latest plan is unacceptable because it will see a permanent 45m by 220m extension of Halsey Wharf — the size of a concrete rugby field.
“We are not building concrete rugby fields on the waterfront for the All Blacks.
“Why would we do it for Team New Zealand,” said Stop Stealing Our Harbour spokesman Michael Goldwater.
Viaduct Harbour Holdings chief executive Angela Bull welcomed a shift in thinking by the parties away from building more and more permanent encroachments into the harbour and towards a vibrant, cohesive village on land around Wynyard Point.