Queens Wharf ready for major makeover after Govt buy-out

The Aurora cruise liner docked at Queens Wharf in Auckland. Photo / Kenny Rodger

The Government has struck a deal to buy Auckland's Queens Wharf, meaning a massive redevelopment of the wharf for the 2011 Rugby World Cup will proceed.

John Key made the announcement today after reaching agreement with its current owners the Auckland Regional Council.

""Last week I announced that the Government had secured Queens Wharf as 'party central' for the duration of the Rugby World Cup – a 'fan site' for people to gravitate to during the tournament," Mr Key said.

"Today I can tell you a deal has been struck between the Auckland Regional Council (ARC) and the Government to purchase this significant asset outright from Ports of Auckland."

The Government and the ARC each paid $20m in the deal.

In an announcement last week, Mr Key said Queens Wharf, currently a depot for used cars and ripening bananas, will be home to up to 15,000 Rugby World Cup fans in 2011.

"Queens Wharf will be the cornerstone asset in a wider waterfront development programme," Mr Key said.

"By purchasing this site we have secured an asset that will live long after the Rugby World Cup has finished and give pleasure to visitors and locals alike for generations to come."

Speaking to a tourism industry conference last week, Key said that there was now "an opportunity to turn Queens Wharf into an important public space".

One source said the cost of strengthening Queens Wharf for a cruise terminal was about $20 million and the total cost could be more than $100 million.

The ports company uses the wharf for parking imported used Japanese cars and stacking boxes of ripening bananas.

- NZ HERALD STAFF