From the site plan.
An application has been lodged to allow Aucklands Rugby World Cup "Fanzone" to be extended into adjoining Quay St and "if required"
onto Captain Cook Wharf.
This follows trouble during opening night celebrations, including overcrowding and transport problems.
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From the report
The Ministry of Economic Development (“the Applicant”) seeks urgent approval to amend the scope of the Queens Wharf
Fanzone, Festival and Showcase event and associated public access arrangements during the Rugby World Cup 2011 (“RWC
2011”). The need for this approval is a result of issues concerning the capacity of Queens Wharf (set at 14,000) and
around Quay Street and the unprecedented levels of public attendance that were experienced during the RWC 2011 opening
night celebrations on 9 September 2011. Those capacity limitations resulted in large queues outside the Queens Wharf
entrance, and these extended for a significant distance along Quay Street and surrounding areas. There were considerable
health and safety risks for members of the public gathered around the Auckland Waterfront and Queens Wharf on opening
night. The proximity of the large waterfront crowd to the ferry terminal and railway station also caused significant
disruption to the public transport services that are essential to the proper delivery of the Rugby World Cup and the
movement of patrons to and from Eden Park.
[…]
The Applicant proposes to provide additional crowd space, if required, on Captain Cook Wharf, to the immediate east of
Queens Wharf. The Applicant is also planning for the closure of parts of Quay Street. It is proposed to close Quay
Street from the intersection of Lower Albert Street to the intersection with Britomart Place, and possibly as far east
as Tinley Street. This road closure will be accompanied by traffic management safety treatments and both fixed and
variable signage designed to direct both vehicles and pedestrians. The applicant plans to install temporary public
toilet facilities along the closed area of Quay Street to ensure that the needs of any assembled crowd can be catered
for. The application for the closure of Quay Street is the subject of a separate approval process that is being dealt
with by Auckland Transport.
[…]
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