Ports pitches wharf extension under new plans
Wharf extensions at Ports of Auckland are back on the agenda despite public opposition defeating a 2015 attempt to increase the size of Bledisloe wharf.
Bledisloe North Wharf is the subject, with the port’s 30-year draft master plan eyeing a new wharf running east-west on the end of Bledisloe Terminal, extending 13 metres north into the harbour.
The port is also looking at extending its new container wharf to the east for longer container ships.
But the plan is for a piledwharf rather than one built on reclaimed land.
‘‘Bledisloe North Wharf is absolutely critical because it unlocks three other projects: the extension of B2 Wharf and the development of Bledisloe South Wharf and the potential to use the east side of Captain Cook as a cruise berth,’’ the port said.
Ports of Auckland ran into trouble in 2015 when legal action brought by a lobby group forced it to stop a planned 100 metre extensions to the Bledisloe cargo wharf.
Building on Auckland Council’s 2015 Port Future Study, it includes plans for a five-storey building to house the 30,000 or so cars that pass through the port each month.
Also canvassed is replacing the port’s existing head office with a new building nearer Tamaki Drive, and removing Marsden Wharf to redevelop Bledisloe South Wharf.
As it’s a draft 30 year plan, some timeframes are given but many are just noted as possibilities.
Under the Labour-new Zealand First coalition deal, Winston Peters won a bid to commission a feasibility study on the options for moving the Ports of Auckland, including giving Whangarei’s Northport serious consideration.
It is understood the process that could shift the Ports of Auckland
‘‘Bledisloe North Wharf is absolutely critical.’’
to Northport, Whangarei, would begin with a $500 million upgrade to the railway line north, connecting through to Marsden Point.
Port chief executive Tony Gibson has maintained a position of planning to keep the port at its current site.
‘‘A change of government could see the project scrapped, just like the East-west link. A future council could change its mind. An economic crisis could knock things off course.’’