Two large wharf extensions proposed to free up space for America's Cup bases

The proposed site for the fishing and ferry operations on Wynyard Point. Photo / Auckland City Council

Two large wharves are being proposed on the Auckland waterfront to handle fishing and ferry operations during the America's Cup regatta.

The wharves, which would extend 100m off Wynyard Pt, are included in two resource consent applications publicly notified today One application is to relocate the fishing industry and Sealink car ferry on the western side of Wynyard Pt on land zoned for a headland park.

Sealink supports moving from the eastern side of Wynyard Pt to free up land for the America's Cup, but the council is still in discussions with Moana Fisheries and Sanford, which operate the Auckland fishing fleet on Halsey Wharf and the Western Viaduct Wharf.

Once the America's Cup is over, the application says, the fishing industry may stay on the western side of the point or return to its current locations.

The new wharves would be about 100m long by 13.5m wide. Precast concrete wave panels on the northern face would shelter the southern side. The project will involve dredging of about 10,000cu m of seabed to a depth of between 4.2m and 6.2m, and construction of ferry ramps and floating pontoons.

The site is designated for a 5ha headland park at Wynyard Point, although the council has proposed realigning the park down the eastern edge.

An assessment of environmental effects from consultants UNIO Environmental says moving the ferry and fishing activities fits with the strategic direction in the Waterfront Plan and the overall effects would be minor.

Planner Dr Joel Cayford said the council was seeking to unpick the Wynyard Quarter urban design framework to free up space for the America's Cup bases.

He said a key principle of the design framework was a gritty working waterfront with the fishing industry being central and one of the reasons Wynyard Quarter had won international awards.

Last year, the development arm of Auckland Council said the cost of negotiations, relocation and new infrastructure for moving the fishing and ferry operations was $18m.

"The detailed costs will be worked through as the detailed designs are completed," a spokeswoman for Panuku Development Auckland said today.

The second application is for a cluster of bases on a 75m extension to Halsey Wharf, a 75m extension to Hobson wharf, and on the eastern side of Wynyard Pt wharf.

Meanwhile, Economic Development Minister David Parker and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff are continuing discussions about Parker's preferred land-based solution for the bases.

It is understood this involves moving the larger double-boat bases to Wynyard Point and having the single-boat bases on Halsey Wharf. This could reduce the Halsey Wharf extension from 75m to 25m.

Parker and Goff held talks yesterday. Neither politician would comment today on progress or say when a final decision would be made.

Submissions on the consents are open until February 28.

The resource consent for the wharf extensions can be seen here.