VHH Has Alternative America’s Cup Plan for Auckland Waterfront

Viaduct Harbour Holdings (“VHH”) is offering an alternative to the Government and Council’s plans for the proposed wharf extensions into the Auckland Harbour to host the 36th America’s Cup.

VHH’s Chief Executive Angela Bull said that its proposal is an alternative to the Government’s hybrid plan released last week, and will be cheaper and without the same amount of harbor encroachment.

“The Viaduct has a proud connection with the America’s Cup as the home of the New Zealand campaigns in 2000 and 2003. But if Auckland is to successfully host the America’s Cup, the Cup’s village needs to leave a sustainable community and environmental legacy for all New Zealanders.

“VHH is deeply concerned about the proposed extensions to the Halsey Street Wharf and the Hobson Wharf into the Waitemata Harbour. The Council proposal is to build large 75 metre wharf extensions and 15-metre high team bases, which extend across the waterfront and will block off the public view and community connection with the Waitemata Harbour - an integral part of the vibrant Viaduct hub. The scale of the Halsey Wharf extension is the same as if Captain Cook wharf was put on its side.

“Auckland can host a world class event on the waterfront which is cheaper and without intrusive structures into the Harbour. We already have fantastic public infrastructure located in the Wynyard Quarter and Wynyard Wharf could be transformed from the existing tank farm into an exciting home for the America’s Cup syndicates.

“The ETNZ base could be built as an extension at the end of the Viaduct Events Centre - this would avoid the extent of encroachment on the Harbour, providing a prime spot for Team New Zealand while maintaining public connection to the waterfront.”

Ms Bull added “the Government’s hybrid plan is a good step in the right direction, but we can do better as a City. We have advised the Government and the Council of our concerns over the Wharf extensions, and we have provided them with a proposal to locate all of the team bases on Wynyard wharf and a smaller extension to Halsey Wharf in line with the Events Centre. This alternative proposal would be cheaper without encroachment into the Waitemata Harbour.

“The Council has worked with the community for over 20 years to deliver a transformation of the waterfront. VHH supports a world class America’s Cup village and believes a world class America’s Cup event can be delivered without compromising the Auckland waterfront. We want to keep working with Council and Government to leave a legacy that Auckland can be proud of” she said.

ENDS

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