Late last month the Environment Court granted approval for the resource consent of the 36th America’s Cup – a month early!

The decision allows the Wynyard Edge Alliance (WEA) – formed to consent, design and construct the infrastructure for the Cup – to progress with the building of the stage for AC36.

To prepare Auckland’s waterfront to host the 36th America’s Cup in 2021, several marine and land-based infrastructure works need to take place.

There are three key areas of development:

1.       Halsey Wharf – home of Emirates Team New Zealand (syndicate Base A) and superyacht berths

2.       Hobson Wharf – home of Cup challengers, Luna Rosa (syndicate Base B)

3.       Wynyard Wharf – home of five additional syndicates (syndicate Bases C to G)

Wynyard Point/Wharf

Construct a new access road and redevelop sites for use as America’s Cup syndicate Bases C to G. This requires capping the south end of Wynyard Point, creating forecourts for the syndicate bases to enable launching into Wynyard Basin. The basin will be created from constructing breakwater structures from Wynyard and Halsey.
Timeline: September 2019 – December 2020

Halsey Wharf

Halsey Wharf works revolve around the new breakwater for Wynyard Basin, providing some super yacht capability on the eastern edge, and dredging enough “draft” for ETNZ to launch their boat on the western edge. (excluding floating infrastructure for superyacht – this comes closer to the event).
Timeline: November 2018 – July 2019

Hobson Wharf and Outer Viaduct Harbour

Construct a wharf extension off the northern face of Hobson Wharf to accommodate America’s Cup syndicate Base B. Construct breakwaters to the east and south of the wharf to manage wave conditions and provide sheltered berthing conditions.
Timeline: November 2018 – September 2019

WEA is made up for representatives from Auckland Council, Panuku Development Auckland and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment along with construction partners Downer, McConnell Dowell, Beca and Tonkin +Taylor.