Changes to Auckland waterfront for America's Cup 2021 approved
America's Cup 2021 has been given the green light, with the Environment Court approving consents for the of Auckland's waterfront ahead of the regatta, according to an article of September 18, 2018 in Stuff / Sport.
The plans include extending Hobson Wharf by 74 metres, installing breakwaters, clearing industrial land on Wynyard Point for up to five bases, and housing Team New Zealand in the Events Centre as outlined in the article, reports Duthie Lidgard of Asia Pacific Superyachts New Zealand. The shoreside superyacht support agency, a member of APSA, operates in Auckland's Wynyard Quarter and is a specialist service and luxury experiences provider to superyachts visiting the New Zealand and the Pacific, well positioned to support all Superyachts coming to New Zealand for the America’s Cup.
Land on Auckland's waterfront reclaimed to build bases for the 2000 and 2003 Cups now accommodates apartment and hotel developments, requiring more spending for the 2021 event.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said Tuesday's Environment Court decision means Auckland Council could spend the next three years building the infrastructure needed to host the race.
"Today's decision is the culmination of a huge amount of work by [Auckland] Council, Government and Team New Zealand to create an America's Cup village that limits encroachment on the harbour, is sympathetic to the local community and businesses, and will deliver a fantastic Cup for New Zealand," he said.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff has praised the Environment Court's decision.
"Over the next couple of months, we will see Team New Zealand move into the Viaduct Events Centre to begin its preparation for the Cup defence, and a start to the building of the Hobson Wharf base for Luna Rossa.
"The demolition of the hazardous substances tanks at the south end of Wynyard Point will then take place, marking a new future for the precinct."
The consent was sought by Panuku, with backing from Auckland Council.
Both plan to spend an estimated $212m preparing for and holding the defence of the cup, won by Team New Zealand in Bermuda in 2017.
The Government is contributing $74 million to the construction.
Auckland Council is also bringing forward hundreds of millions of dollars-worth of other waterfront improvements in time for the 36th edition of the Cup.
Investment totalling about $268 million is planned in the city's downtown precinct.
"Ultimately it's about $380m over ten years, but we're bringing a lot of that forward into the early period and . . . we have the broad projects there," Goff said.
A big chunk of the money – about $88m – would be spent on the seawall from Princess Wharf to Bledisloe Container Terminal. In its current state the wall would "probably collapse" in a major earthquake, Goff said.
There were also new bus terminals planned for the bottom of Queen St and at Britomart, while Quay St was being reconfigured from four general traffic lanes to two, in line with the council's goal to reduce traffic volumes on the downtown section of the street. A downtown public space was also planned for the ferry basin.
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