America's Cup: Further delays expected to planning deadlines
by Todd Niall RNZ/Sail-World.com/nz 5 Mar 2018 21:37 GMT
6 March 2018
Cagliari Sardinia the venue for the 36th America's Cup World Series © Luna Rossa Challenge
There could be a further delay to decisions on how to build an America's Cup village in Auckland, increasing fears that a key milestone will be missed. The government's key minister David Parker will be out of the country for the rest of the week, with an already-extended part of the planning process due to close in eight days.
Three options for cup bases remain on the table, and RNZ News understands there's frustration about the Minister's absences as a deadline approaches.
Radio NZ's Auckland Correspondent and click here for America's Cup veteran Todd Niall's report
The government's key minister David Parker will be out of the country for the rest of the week, with public submissions in the planning process due to close in eight days.
The submission period has already been extended by a fortnight and Auckland Council fears that not having a decision by Wednesday next week, could have a knock-on effect on the project.
RNZ understands there's frustration in Auckland that absences by the minister due to his other commitments, are slowing down the process.
There's been three weeks of official silence since Auckland's mayor Phil Goff, and the Minister for Economic Development Mr Parker changed course on the Cup village plan.
The pair said they favoured a different layout to the one agreed in December between the council and the defender, Team New Zealand, and wanted more bases on land at Wynyard Point.
The December deal involving 75 metre extensions to the Hobson and Halsey Street wharves was already in the planning process, with submissions extended to accommodate any changes.
Serious consideration is being given to the third option proposed by Team New Zealand, which could be $50 million cheaper than the minister's preference for Wynyard Point.
It would retain the 75 metre wharf extensions - a sore point with Mr Parker - but possibly drop the need for any bases on Wynyard Point, and the expensive relocations needed to allow that.
A spokesman for Mr Parker said the minister would have nothing to say prior to his return on Saturday from signing the CPTPP global trade deal.
But Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was not too focussed on next Wednesday's deadline for public submissions on the December plan.
"There is still more room for dialogue and to make sure we get the bid right, and that ultimately we're in a position to host the Cup," Ms Ardern told RNZ.
For the full story from Todd Niall click here