Ratepayers fork out $705,000 for Cup camping site

Westhaven Marina. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Auckland ratepayers are shelling out $705,000 on a campervan site at Westhaven Marina - and will recoup only $384,000 at best.

The marina carpark and Alexandra Park showgrounds will become pop-up accommodation sites for nearly 1000 campervans in September and October.

The Westhaven waterfront site, usually used by boaties, will be a base for up to 98 campervans a night from September 7 to October 25.

The council forked out a total of $705,000 on a toilet and shower facility upgrade, a dragon boat storage rack, repairing and resurfacing pier carparks, glass art panels, consultant fees and contingencies.

Councillor Cathy Casey said last night that members of the council had been taken to the marina and shown what would be built and how it would be used - for the Rugby World Cup and afterwards.

"One of the focuses was on encouraging young people to learn boating," she said. "That was my understanding, that it was an investment into the future, for the kids."

Official figures show the upgrade cost $90,134 in consultancy fees.

The upgrade had long-term benefits for both boaties and users of the area, and would be well used after the tournament, said Rugby World Cup Auckland Co-ordination Group chairwoman Rachael Dacy.

She said Westhaven bookings were coming through daily from Britain and Australia as it was seen as part of the Kiwi brand to travel by camper.

"It's fair to say that the caravans are a fun attraction option for visitors to explore the Auckland region."

Westhaven is booked to 80 per cent capacity, with visitors arriving from Australia, Britain, South Africa and Canada in just 50 days.

There is a two-night stay minimum, at the cost of $80 a night.

The most the council can recoup - based on full occupancy for the 49 days of use - is $384,160.

Construction of the new toilet and shower block is expected to be finished by the end of the week.

Official estimates predict that on game nights up to 1000 vans will be looking to park. The council was talking with a number of schools and clubs around Auckland about setting up temporary campervan sites on their grounds. But because of regulations on site size and campervan needs, nothing has come of the talks.

Alexandra Park is being converted into the second temporary campervan site for the tournament period.

The raceway would be more of a short-term "park 'n' ride" site, and shuttles had been organised to transport guests to fan zones and Eden Park, said event manager Julia Nolan.

The grassy grounds and concrete carpark could hold up to 900 six-berth campervans, she said.

"Hopefully there will be a sea of campervans because it will create a great atmosphere."

Campervans can park for up to three nights in one stay for $45 a night. Guests can dine at the site's restaurant, open 24 hours a day.

The venue would host six weekend race nights before significant rugby matches, she said. All campervans would be moved out to the carpark for the night.

Ms Nolan said many of the wider region's campsites were fully booked or nearing capacity for the tournament.