The tight timeline comes on top of council's decision on Thursday to favour the Wynyard Basin option, which would include wharf extensions of 2.5ha into the Waitemata Harbour. Photo / Supplied
The tight timeline comes on top of council's decision on Thursday to favour the Wynyard Basin option, which would include wharf extensions of 2.5ha into the Waitemata Harbour. Photo / Supplied
The Government's decision for the America's Cup base may not meet the tight deadlines imposed by Auckland Council, as Economic Development Minister David Parker seeks advice on an option that the council has voted down.
Parker, who returned from a trade trip to Argentina today, told the Herald that he expected the Government's analysis on the options to be ready in January or February.
This could throw a spanner in the works, as Auckland Council has said it needs to lodge resource consent applications by January 15, and for construction to begin in August.
Panuku Development design and place director Rod Marler told councillors last week that "timing really is the critical issue", saying he could not stress how critical it is to lodge resource consent in January.
The tight timeline comes on top of council's decision on Thursday to favour the Wynyard Basin option, which would include wharf extensions of 2.5ha into the Waitemata Harbour, and extensions to Halsey Wharf, Hobson Wharf, and Wynyard Wharf. Team NZ also favours the basin option.
Parker remains unconvinced and has hired consultants last week to work with the council and look closer at the cost estimates of the basin as well as the second option of Wynyard Point.
The basin option carries a price tag of $128 million plus $18m to relocate tenants and landowners. Wynyard Pt, which is known as the "tank farm" because it houses hazardous materials in liquid storage tanks, is expected to cost $112m - but this estimate includes a $100m cost for a relocation that Parker says might be unnecessary.
Economic Development Minister David Parker has hired consultants to look at the Wynyard Pt option as an America's Cup base - which the council has voted down. Photo / Janna Dixon
"We want to complete our analysis by January/February and in order to complete that, we're awaiting more advice on the [risks] arising out of the adjacent tank farm.
"And we are not proposing removal of the northern tank farm, which appears to be behind some of the higher [costs]."
Parker is wary of the price tag as the project will be met, in part, by taxpayers' money - with the total amount expected to be announced early next year.
"They want a contribution from central Government to the costs. We want to see the real costs of other options. We want to do this in a way that is cost-effective and before reaching a conclusion, we are seeking more advice.
"Decisions (including on any resource consent processes) will be made in plenty of time to enable the regatta to proceed in Auckland," Parker said.
The council voted 12 votes to three with three abstentions in favour of the Wynyard Basin option. The vote is not binding on the Government, but meant to inform discussions.
Mayor Phil Goff said he preferred Wynyard Pt and the latest variation would be examined in discussions with the Government.
"But when we have put our professional staff, both local council, council-controlled organisations and Government officials together ... they have come back and said that we would be absolutely struggling to get a consent process through on time," Goff said.
Not all councillors supported the Wynyard Basin option.
Waitemata and Gulf Island councillor Mike Lee said the Government's option was sensible and sustainable and the council should not be deliberately dismissing it.
