36th America’s Cup Infrastructure

1 June

This project involved construction of new waterfront infrastructure to support the 36th America’s Cup Regatta. The marine components included works on Hobson Wharf, Halsey Wharf and Wynyard Wharf, and land-based works carried out at Wynyard Point. The goal was to create world-class facilities for the event, while enhancing Auckland’s waterfront.

CLIENT

Panuku Development Auckland / Wynyard Edge Alliance

LOCATION

Waitematā Harbour, Auckland

COMPLETED

2021

Awards

2021 ACE New Zealand Awards - Gold

Our Scope

Marshall Day Acoustics (MDA) was engaged by Panuku Development Auckland in 2017 to assess airborne noise, vibration and underwater noise effects from the construction works. The project was granted consent in 2018, and MDA was subsequently appointed by the Wynyard Edge Alliance (comprising McConnell Dowell, Downer, Beca, and Tonkin & Taylor) as the noise and vibration expert for the construction phase.
Our scope involved predicting, mitigating and managing construction noise and vibration effects on a range of receivers including people, sensitive structures and marine fauna.

CHALLENGES

**Community Disruptions:** The long duration and scale of construction posed a risk of significant disruptions to nearby residents and businesses. Best practice noise and vibration management strategies were implemented to minimise impacts, ensuring compliance with environmental standards and reducing disturbances in the waterfront area.
**Proximity to Sensitive Artifacts:** The project involved pile driving near the Maritime Museum, which houses a range of sensitive artifacts. To address and manage vibration effects, we implemented an adaptive management approach, including attended and long-term monitoring, the use of a high frequency vibro hammer, and relocating at-risk items to prevent damage.
**Underwater Noise Impact on Marine Life:** Marine piling works generated high underwater noise levels, with potential impacts on marine fauna. We predicted zones of potential physiological hearing effects, which were closely monitored by marine mammal observers. Several underwater noise surveys were conducted to validate and refine our modelling, ensuring the accuracy of the predicted zones.

“Marshall Day’s monitoring support and expert advice during our marine piling works for the 36th America’s Cup has been a crucial element in minimising disruption to both our neighbours in this highly sensitive environment and in turn our construction programme”

— Brendon Barnett, Environmental and Sustainability Manager, Wynyard Edge Alliance