New $140m Cup plan ‘workable’

Minister for Economic Development David Parker ‘‘welcomes new developments’’ that bring agreement on Auckland’s America’s Cup base closer.

Government, Auckland Council and Team New Zealand have butted heads on controversial options, some of which would see large intrusions into the harbour costing millions extra.

Yesterday, Parker said the government was ‘‘closer to reaching a conclusion’’ with stakeholders to deliver a new option called PointHalsey.

Spread out over three waterfront locations, it would cost $140 million, the cheapest of four proposals so far.

Deadlines are fast approaching to start building Auckland’s 2021 cup facilities.

Parker’s announcement comes the same day public submissions for Auckland Council’s resource consent for its preferred Wynyard Base option close.

The government plans to lodge its own Point-Halsey consent application for building bases on Wynyard Point and the existing Halsey Wharf.

Point-Halsey had ‘‘evolved’’ from suggestions by local residents and interest groups, Parker said. ‘‘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.’’

The worst-case scenario for yachting fans and Auckland’s economy is Team New Zealand, which at times has been critical of consultation approaches, rejecting all base options and taking the 36th America’s Cup elsewhere.

Deadlines are fast approaching to start work building Auckland’s

2021 cup facilities. However, the team is working with officials on Point-Halsey and Team New Zealand managing director Grant Dalton said the government’s plan could work.

The option would only require a

9900 square metre harbour intrusion and extension of Halsey St Wharf, while other options would intrude up to 22,800sqm.

A face-to-face meeting between Parker and Dalton resulted in an assurance the syndicate wouldn’t be forced to move base to Wynyard Point.

And despite the council continuing to plan for its Wynyard Base, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff ‘‘welcomed’’ Government’s PointHalsey plan.

‘‘[Point-Halsey] is cheaper, further reduces the need for extensions into the harbour and has the bases clustered on two wharves that will create a vibrant village atmosphere,’’ he said.