Currently Browsing: Rugby World Cup 2011
Kingsland Train Station Revamp Ready for July Rugby Test
Posted by Jon C in Kingsland, Rugby World Cup 2011, SandringhamMar 9th, 2010 | 4 Comments
The revamped Kingsland railway station will be ready in time for the All Blacks test with South Africa at Eden Park on July 10.
That’s the assurance this morning from Auckland’s RWC 2011 spokesperson, Auckland Chamber of Commerce’s Michael Barnett.
He says the $3m link lane between Walters Rd and Sandringham Rd will also be finished in time for it to be tried out during that match. The lane, the cost of which raised some eyebrows here recently, enables patrons to get a shortcut to the park.
In a report on how Auckland’s build-up is going, he says: “These upgrades, combined with the comprehensive...
What Could We Do Better With $3m?
Posted by Jon C in Rugby World Cup 2011, SandringhamMar 6th, 2010 | 11 Comments
What improvement to a train station, walkway or bus stop could be do if the council gave us $3m?
Looking again today at the new $3m walkway between Eden Park and Walters Rd, as people headed for the cricket at Eden Park, you have to scratch you head and wonder if it will be worth the money.
The Eden Albert community board doesn’t think so but their opposition got a bit distracted during the week because of the discussion about their protest action – suggesting names like Minto, Mandela and Porangi walkway for the name.
Porangi means crazy or mad in Maori and maybe it is.
I can’t...
New Eden Park Rd To be Called Mandela Walkway? -Latest Photos
Posted by Jon C in Kingsland, Rugby World Cup 2011Mar 3rd, 2010 | 6 Comments
The new legal link road at Eden Park to be called Mandela Walkway?
Not sure about that.
People may have greatly respected Mandela but not be so sure about what happened when he had the chance of power. But this is Eden Park, home of NZ rugby so it’s bizarre to honour him there as the Springboks are playing in the RWC.
The Eden Albert Community Board , which thinks too much money is being spent on this, has been tossing around names for the new legal road at Eden Park and those are the three main contenders.
Next suggestion is Porangi walkway?
The Maori dictionary says that means “crazy...
Mike Lee Gets Govt Thumbs Up In Queens Wharf Decision
Posted by Jon C in Auckland City, Queens Wharf, Rugby World Cup 2011Feb 26th, 2010 | 6 Comments
ARC’s Mike Lee emerges as the winner in today’s Government announcement that Queens Wharf is to be turned into an unspecified ‘party central’ for the Rugby World Cup from April – and a cruise terminal will be built there after the event is over.
The Government and ARC will create some form of low budget”party central” without the Auckland council because of last week’s opposition.
The ARC chairman was a lone voice among local body leaders in his strong push for a cruise ship terminal for the RWC – a proposal rejected at this stage at the Auckland Mayoral Forum.
That...
Poll of 1000 Say No To Queens Wharf Plans
Posted by Jon C in Auckland City, Queens Wharf, Rugby World Cup 2011Feb 15th, 2010 | 5 CommentsA poll of a thousand Aucklanders suggests overwhelmingly, people believe permanent Queens Wharf development should not proceed until long term plans are in place for the city’s waterfront.
The poll of nearly 1,000 Aucklanders is by independent online research company Buzz Channel. The poll shows 88.2 per cent of decided respondents either agree or strongly agree that Aucklanders should see what the long term plans are for the central CBD waterfront before being asked to sign off on long-term plans for Queen’s Wharf.
“Aucklanders know there is more at stake here than Queen’s Wharf,”...
Wellington Get Its RWC Waterfront Sorted While We Argue
Posted by Jon C in Rugby World Cup 2011, WellingtonFeb 14th, 2010 | 4 Comments
While Auckland argues about a bunch of rushed Queens Wharf designs – three budget, one $97m – Wellington council has opted for a rugby village approach on its waterfront during the Rugby World Cup 2011. It won’t cost ratepayers millions, it’s all sorted and will open in January.
The village will be centred around an $11m canoe house (Wharewaka) to be completed next January.
The Wharewaka, currently under construction, has been designed to house two ceremonial waka, exhibition and function areas, a café and a limited number of offices.
Wharewaka design |Copyright Architecture+
The...
Govt Releases Queens Wharf Designs – $23m Or $97M?
Posted by Jon C in Queens Wharf, Rugby World Cup 2011Feb 11th, 2010 | 10 Comments
The Government has just issued its four potential development options for Queens Wharf.
They range from $23m to $97m.
The first three designs are short term options, developed with a focus on preparing Queens Wharf for the RWC celebrations.
Option one to remove existing sheds and create a temporary village to host the RWC would cost $23.9m.
Option 2 to undertake minimal refurbishment of the sheds to provide usable covered spaces for the RWC would cost $27.7m.
Option 3, involving significant refurbishment of sheds with a focus on retaining one or both of the sheds for the RWC would cost...
Business Group: Why The Queens Wharf Rush?
Posted by Jon C in General, Queens Wharf, Rugby World Cup 2011Feb 11th, 2010 | No Comments
Auckland’s CBD business group Heart of the City says everyone needs to pause and not let RWC “over-excitement” drive development of Queens Wharf.
“The problem with the latest push is that it lumps Queen’s Wharf in with the development of Eden Park and a rugby event rather than looking properly as to how it fits in with the development of the central city waterfront,” says the group.
It continues: “The Ports of Auckland have been advocating for a cruise ship terminal on Queen’s Wharf and then further huge reclamations to make the container port 50% bigger than the Auckland...
Eden Park Gets LinkedIn – Photos
Posted by Jon C in Rugby World Cup 2011Feb 11th, 2010 | No Comments
Work has begun on the link lane between Sandringham Rd and Eden Park, to especially give RWC patrons more direct walking access to the park.
Attention has shifted for the time being from the Kingsland station upgrade to the footpath widening and other pedestrian improvements around that area of Sandringham Rd between New North Rd and Walters Rd.
That work includes:
Creating a new one way road between Sandringham Rd and Walters Rd. This is a “shared space.” It will be for pedestrians only during games but otherwise can be used for vehicles one way.
Widening Sandringham Rd between...
Eden Park $40m Score: Banks 1, Brown 0
Posted by Jon C in Auckland City, Rugby World Cup 2011Feb 9th, 2010 | 5 Comments
Auckland Mayor John Banks is 100% right in not committing ratepayers money to helping Eden Park out of its mess.
He promised he wouldn’t and it would be political suicide to change in an election year.
At a news conference today, Eden Park redevelopment chairman John Waller revealed that the Eden Park Trust Board has known for some time there’s is a $40 million shortfall for funding the park’s RWC development and he warned that there’s “no silver bullet” in finding the money.
In the joint news conference with Banks, he said that the board was not able to borrow as it couldn’t...
Queens Wharf: Here We Go Again
Posted by Jon C in Auckland City, Rugby World Cup 2011Feb 8th, 2010 | No Comments
Here we go again.
Another attempt is being made to do something for Queens Wharf. Let’s hope we don’t go through another round of what we went through before.
This time there seems to be two revised design options: turning the horrible old hundred year old shed into a booze ban for drunk rugby fans during the RWC and providing for a cruise ship terminal on the wharf.
Let’s hope somewhere in there is the chance to actually open up the wharf and provide a place Aucklanders can wander around and enjoy.
Auckland does need a better first-look for those arriving on cruise ships and it’s a growing...
RWC Trains Have To Cope With 2 Weeknight Matches
Posted by Jon C in Rugby World Cup 2011Feb 3rd, 2010 | No Comments
There are only two weeknight matches for the Rugby World Cup matches at Eden Park next year.
Following yesterday’s speculation about how to move thousands of fans to the park next year, I decided to check the RWC itinerary so we understand better the logistics.
Two weeknight games with the rest weekend matches at least cuts down some of the stress that occurs accommodating the existing daily PT needs of Aucklanders and a huge influx of temporary train users at the same time.
The matches at Eden Park will be:
Fri Sept 9 New Zealand v Tonga
Sat Oct 1 England v Scotland Auckland
Sat Sept 17...
RWC: “International Experts” Sorting Out Transport
Posted by Jon C in Auckland City, Rugby World Cup 2011Feb 2nd, 2010 | 8 Comments
The Chamber of Commerce – the latest officials to dampen down concern over the RWC transport issue- say unnamed “international experts” have been brought to Auckland and “are working full time on transport planning for this event.”
Michael Barnett , who is planning co-ordinator for Auckland’s RWC arrangements, says these experts will ensure Auckland gets it right – and added: “and we will.”
“This is one occasion when failure is not an option.”
I agree. But it would help to share sharing those names of these transport experts and their track record...
ARTA “Clarifies” Suggestion RWC Transport Will Fail
Posted by Jon C in Rugby World Cup 2011Feb 2nd, 2010 | 2 Comments
ARTA this afternoon tried to clarify a suggestion based on its own confidential report that the city’s transport needs won’t be met for the Rugby World Cup next year.
The Dominion Post reported an ARTA draft transport strategy, written last July, and only made public under the Official Information Act. It shows transport planners are worried.
The report warns what we’ve been saying here for months: the Auckland train fleet would grow from the current 32 sets to 38 in time for the tournament, but “no breakdowns could be afforded.”
And any of us who use the trains regularly,...
Feeling Confident?
Posted by Jon C in Rugby World Cup 2011Jan 26th, 2010 | 8 Comments
Stranded at Britomart yesterday
Sorry, but I have to mention this, hopefully one last time.
Two words to ponder seriously this morning in the wake of yesterday’s debacle and amateur disorganization when things went wrong: RWC and electric.
Exactly a week ago I wrote:
The RWC is a ticking timebomb What we have forgotten is, for all the holiday work, the transport minister’s announcement last week on an electrification contract and the opening of the wonderful new Newmarket station, the reality is this: electrification will not be with us when the RWC tourists pour in.
That happens from...
Auckland City Councillor: Kingsland Underpass Should Go Up To Village
Posted by Jon C in Kingsland, Rugby World Cup 2011Jan 23rd, 2010 | 1 Comment
Now that we can actually begin to witness visually what the much-trumpeted revamped Kingsland train station underpass and adjacent Sandringham Rd changes are all about, are we satisfied it’s what everyone needs?
An Auckland City Councillor has reservations abut what’s being done and an interesting idea about the underpass going right up to Kingsland.
But before we get to that, here’s some good news:
Yesterday, I wrote of my concern about the lack of a crossing opposite the station at Sandringham Rd. This after observing departing train passengers risking their life by dashing...
Rugby World Cup 2011: The Devil Is In The Execution
Posted by Jon C in Newmarket, Rugby World Cup 2011Jan 19th, 2010 | 6 Comments
Are there any lessons to be learnt from yesterday’s train meltdown?
Are we ready for the RWC?
Do we need a rail overlord in Auckland?
As trains resume normal schedules, do we remember what normal actually means for Auckland trains? It’s not a guarantee everything will go right.
What we have forgotten is, for all the holiday work, the transport minister’s announcement last week on an electrification contract and the opening of the wonderful new Newmarket station, the reality is this: electrification will not be with us when the RWC tourists pour in.
That happens from 2013.
So the...
Fit For A King! Kingsland Close Up Today – Photos
Posted by Jon C in Kingsland, Rugby World Cup 2011Jan 16th, 2010 | No Comments
I wonder if Prince William will be shown Kingsland train station’s revamp tomorrow afternoon when he visits Eden Park?!
The name fits with a king anyway.
Here is how Kingsland’s platform and underpass work looks this morning as workers returned for the last 48 hours before trains return to the Western Line:
Kingsland photos continue here
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Kingsland: This Morning’s Photos Continued
Posted by Jon C in Kingsland, Rugby World Cup 2011Jan 16th, 2010 | 1 Comment
Here are the rest of the Kingsland development up close photos from this morning as workers returned to work. Doesn’t the track look nice!
First part of today’s photos was here
Recent Kingsland photos
One week to go
Wider platform work starts
Birds eye view of work
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Eden Park’s South Stand Up Close – Latest Photos
Posted by Jon C in Kingsland, Rugby World Cup 2011Jan 16th, 2010 | No Comments
Here is how Eden Park’s development looks this morning:
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The Odd Case Of Newmarket & The RWC
Posted by Jon C in Newmarket, Rugby World Cup 2011Jan 15th, 2010 | 14 Comments
Sandringham Rd houses presently being shifted
If you mention Rugby World Cup 2012, chances are good for getting something happen, reasonably quickly in a city that is not known for fast action on projects.
Like shifting houses on Sandringham Rd to so that footpaths can be widened and a lane put in for people to use to get more easily to the games.
And of course the lovely new Kingsland train station is being dug up so soon after its makeover just so that platforms can be widened and an underpass put in to make it easier for the hordes to get to Sandringham Rd from the train station when they...
Prince William To Inspect Eden Park’s South Stand – Latest Photos
Posted by Jon C in Rugby World Cup 2011Jan 12th, 2010 | 2 Comments
Prince William will inspect Eden Park’s new South Stand this weekend. The stand is now dominating the stadium area as the finishing touches are put to the roof.
While the completion date was given as October, clearly the work is making very good progress and can now be seen towering above the stadium ground.
Work is also progressing on an eastern stand.
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Eden Park Link Lane Work Starts – Houses Being Relocated, Demolished (Photos)
Posted by Jon C in Rugby World Cup 2011Dec 12th, 2009 | 3 Comments
As work progresses on improving Kingsland train station, including a new underpass for pedestrians, work has started on work around Sandringham Road itself.
Work is beginning on relocating three houses within their existing boundaries on Sandringham Rd, right opposite the Kingsland station. Being shifted are houses at 30 to 34 Sandringham Rd while the one at 38 Sandringham Rd is being demolished.
RELOCATED: Three houses opposite the Kingsland station
A major part of the work is creating a one way road from Sandringham Rd to Walters Rd, to provide better pedestrian access to Eden Park. The road...
Queens Wharf Will Now Sort The Mayors From The Boys
Posted by Jon C in Rugby World Cup 2011Nov 5th, 2009 | 5 Comments
Thank goodness.
Putting the Queens Wharf design contest on hold – as I called for the other day – is the right decision but it’s not going to be the end of the debate about what should we do about this very important downtown site.
But, like the bus strike, everyone seems to be dazed in the headlights and have no idea what to do.
I also agree with Waitakere mayor Bob Harvey who says not developing Queen’s Wharf would be a disaster for Auckland.
After promising to open up the red gates after 100 years, the authorities must do so but we need to take time to get it right. We must not rush...
Architects Defend Queens Wharf Contest -Are They Nuts?
Posted by Jon C in Rugby World Cup 2011Nov 3rd, 2009 | 11 Comments
There’s an extraordinary statement on the NZ Institute of Architects Incorporated website.
The Queens Wharf shed may not be worth saving
It defends the failed Queens Wharf design contest and chides those who think it should be abandoned –which it should.
“No competition is perfect, “says Institute Chief Executive Beverley McRae. And in a rather questionable justification for the dubious “contest” she adds: “This one is at least attempting to take a wide range of views and considerations into account.”
Really? I thought that it has been so selective, some reports have labelled it...
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