MEDIA RELEASE
15 June 2010

Start spreading the news…

All eyes will be on Auckland in 2011 when the city hosts the third biggest sporting event in the world, the Rugby World Cup. Auckland’s newest hospitality and entertainment area will be buzzing with thousands of Aucklanders, Kiwis, and sports fans from around the world revelling in the new facilities.

To make the most of this unique opportunity, Auckland City Council is committed to delivering facilities and services to the highest possible standard, to confirm our place as an internationally competitive and attractive city.

The development of our central city waterfront area is a core part of this, and the upgraded area will be something that Aucklanders will enjoy for decades to come.

The development of the Wynyard Quarter area is well underway, with many new places and spaces in the area completed in time for Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011).

This is an exciting time for Aucklanders, so start spreading the news – Wynyard Quarter is going to be one of the places to be during RWC 2011 celebrations – and beyond.

With a mix of generous public spaces, access to the water’s edge, bars, cafés and casual eateries, promenades, and entertainment facilities, Wynyard Quarter will provide a huge range of exciting new opportunities and experiences. These include:

The Wynyard Crossing – Auckland City Council with Auckland Regional Holdings are funding an interim pedestrian and cycling bridge linking Wynyard Quarter with the eastern edge of the Viaduct Harbour, making it easy for people to move around all parts of the waterfront

Gateway Plaza – a public open space next to the water and forecourt to the Viaduct Events Centre that greets visitors as they enter the Quarter, featuring places to relax, a multifunctional pavilion and areas for small watercraft to land

Viaduct Events Centre – Auckland’s newest exhibition, meeting and hospitality facility, which will provide infrastructural support for major events taking place on the waterfront

North Wharf Promenade – a broad pedestrian promenade on the seaward side of Jellicoe Street, featuring a variety of quality, yet inexpensive casual alfresco dining options to the west, and a chance to see the fishing industry and working waterfront up close to the east

Jellicoe Street – upgraded to a generous pedestrian-friendly boulevard lush with trees and flagged by colourful market stalls and street entertainers. Jellicoe Street will connect the wharf and the water through the boulevard to the Auckland Fish Market and the Quarter behind it.

Silo Park – incorporating the existing storage silos and a new gantry as look out locations, this public area can also cater for big and small events, on and off the water, and which includes spaces for short-term boat berthing, making travelling by boat a great way to enjoy the area

Public art, environmental sustainability, and public accessibility are key focuses in Wynyard Quarter’s development.

Public art – As well as the relocation of Michio Ihara's Wind Tree sculpture to Silo Park, large metal horns to sit in, and hear the sea, a number of other new public art elements have been included in the design for the area. Watch this space.

Environmental initiatives – These include the addition of a wetland area with coastal planting which will clean the stormwater from the immediately surrounding area.

Public accessibility – All spaces and facilities have been designed with public accessibility in mind. This is especially evident in the shared surface treatment of the whole Jellicoe Street area, which means it’s easy for people to get around with prams, bikes and wheelchairs.

Ends

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