Team New Zealand have released a video showing an animation of a possible America's Cup hub. / Source: Emirates Team New Zealand
The deadline to decide where to base the America's Cup in Auckland may not be met this week.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff told the Herald on Sunday he has given the Government all the information it needs to make a decision about the location for syndicate bases but is unsure if a decision will be made about funding by Thursday's deadline.
The council's governing body is due to meet on Thursday to make a final decision on the location for housing up to eight teams in order to meet a tight timeframe to have the facilities built by mid-2019, starting with a resource consent application by mid-January.
Auckland will be left with significant tonnage of concrete in its harbour and a light industrial 'Shed Farm' obscuring panoramic waterfront views
On November 23, the council voted to remove Team New Zealand's preference for a 220m extension to Halsey Wharf. Instead, councillors voted for a clustered base at Wynyard Basin costing about $150m and a clustered base at Wynyard Quarter costing about $190m.
Goff and the council's preferred option is the clustered bases at Wynyard Basin, which still involves a 50m extension at the northern end of Halsey Wharf. The dispersed option around Wynyard Quarter has been put in the mix by Economic Development Minister David Parker, who has responsibility for the America's Cup.
Parker has the job of striking a deal that meets Team New Zealand's needs and is acceptable to the Government and Auckland Council. He is also negotiating a over a possibly hosting fee for the cup, which Goff has ruled out contributing to.
The Herald on Sunday last month reported Team NZ could receive offers of up to US$80 million ($116m) from offshore locations seeking to host the Cup.
Goff said talks were focused on the Wynyard Basin option between Halsey, Wynyard and Hobson wharves, but the parties were looking at putting double basis for syndicates with two yachts at the southern end of Wynyard Point to reduce the Halsey Wharf "intrusion" into the harbour.
He said the problem with this proposal is the effect on roads and hazardous substance storage tanks the further you move into Wynyard Point.
Parker, who as Trade Minister left yesterday to attend a World Trade Organisation(WTO) ministerial conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina, could not be reached for comment.
Concept images showing the loss of panoramic harbour views from a Halsey Wharf extension. Source / Stop Stealing Our Harbour
Meanwhile, Stop Stealing Our Harbour has released concept images showing the impact of a Halsey Wharf extension to counter a "Team New Zealand video" showing what Auckland Harbour would look like if the cup bases were at Wynyard Basin.
Animation Research Ltd chief executive Ian Taylor, whose Dunedin-based company made the video, said it not only shows the venue and cup village but the superyacht marinas, the media centre and what happens at the event.
In a letter to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Parker, Goff and councillors, Stop Stealing Our Harbour spokesman Michael Goldwater said the "seductive animation" does not describe the loss of the waterfront views.
"No amount of money thrown at computer animation can hide the fact that Auckland will be left with significant tonnage of concrete in its harbour and a light industrial 'Shed Farm' obscuring panoramic waterfront views," he said.
Goldwater told the Herald on Sunday the concept images show panoramic views of the Waitemata Harbour, Devonport and Rangitoto Island will be lost between Hobson Wharf and the Viaduct Events Centre by the "Shed Farm".
Stop Stealing Our Harbour wholeheartedly support the America's Cup, Goldwater said, but wants to use existing infrastructure on Wynyard Point to host the bases.
The Herald approached Team New Zealand for comment yesterday but did not receive a response in time for publication.
