D Scene: Demolition, Apology & Calder confused

### D Scene 27-5-09 (page 5)
Stadium site demolition
Dunedin mayor Peter Chin and Carisbrook Stadium Trust chairman Malcolm Farry have officially started site demolition. Hall Bros Transport owner Doug Hall says about 16 buildings will be pulled down in total – about one a fortnight.
{story continues}

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### D Scene 27-5-09 (page 8)
The Insider: Sorry – say again?
Editor Ryan Keen interviews Cr Teresa Stevenson
Back in January when Dunedin city councillor Teresa Stevenson tipped off media about a confidential letter to the Government by Dunedin mayor Peter Chin and Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Cairns she probably didn’t think she’d still be apologising in late May. The letter itself, which she didn’t leak but just alluded to, requested stadium funding and explored the offer of a share of the city assets in return. Since then, she’s been formally censured and asked to apologise. Mayor Chin has rejected her initial apology and asked her to have another go.
{read interview}

### D Scene 27-5-09 (page 14)
They shall not be moved
By Michelle Sutton
Otago University Students Association monthly meetings still aren’t getting the numbers despite lively motions – such as the one describing Telecom management as “wankers”. Other motions include supporting Clear Communications as much as possible, opposing and supporting construction of Otago Stadium and some pontifications on pot use.

The OUSA general meeting to be held last week did not eventuate as it failed to reach a quorum.

[Further down the item it says:]
The next motion was to be against Otago Stadium. Students Tim Calder and Luke Herlihy wanted OUSA to withhold support for construction if it contributed to fee increases or negatively affects OUSA’s ownership or control of student gym UNIPOL. Confusingly, they then called for OUSA to support construction.
{read full story}

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

ORC – illegal intent?

### ODT Online Wed, 27 May 2009
ORC denies breach claim
By Chris Morris

Claims the Otago Regional Council has breached a High Court undertaking over funding of the Forsyth Barr Stadium have been dismissed as “ridiculous”. Queenstown stadium opponent Basil Walker made the claim in a letter to High Court Justice Christine French and ORC staff yesterday, copied to the Otago Daily Times.
Read more

Road stopping: Is it an RMA process?

It’s not. Consultation on Plan Change 8 – Stadium (an RMA process) can’t touch road stopping…or can it? Or what about the process for the Notice of Requirement – Harbour Arterial Link? Some things aren’t immediately clear.

Not to put words in its mouth but Dunedin City Council seems to think that no objections raised on road stopping during the plan change process means that road stopping at the Forsyth Barr Stadium site has been fully consulted. Has it?

We raise the questions, looking at the legals helps…

Elizabeth Kerr has not threatened Dunedin City Council with a judicial review of this matter, she has put one letter raising questions about temporary road closure and road stopping to Chief Executive Jim Harland. A courteous reply was received from the council, care of General Manager Tony Avery.

It might be the matter has enough weight to effect a challenge by judicial review. Or not. Nothing more nothing less until more is known.

### ODT Online Wed, 27 May 2009
Stadium road closure challenge
By Chris Morris

The Dunedin City Council is defending its procedures after being threatened with a judicial review over rushed road closures and restricted access to the Water of Leith around the Forsyth Barr Stadium site.
Read more

Related posts

Dunedin District Plan – 27 Stadium Leith Access Area
Temporary road closures or road stopping?
Roading changes, but what of public consultation?
Adopting a moderate tone

Comments at ODT Online

Wed, 27/05/2009 – 12:39pm. Dunners on Clutching at straws

Wed, 27/05/2009 – 11:34am. mt on Why?

Wed, 27/05/2009 – 7:27pm. ro1 on Clutching at straws

Thu, 28/05/2009 – 11:36am. Razor on Road stopping

Thu, 28/05/2009 – 1:22pm. petermcd on Stadium /road closures

Thu, 28/05/2009 – 4:12pm. ro1 on The Public Works Act

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The reference to road closures in the council’s Assessment of Environmental Effects of the Spectator Events and Education Zone occurs in section 2.3 Legal Description (page 11):

“It should also be noted that there is a right-of-way easement used by the Otago Regional Council parallel to and adjoining the Water of Leith. This easement is for the purposes of maintenance of and access to this water body. In addition to the above land, parts or all of the following streets are to be closed and rezoned to be within the Spectator Events and Education Zone. Awatea Street, Leander Street, Parry Street, Magnet Street. It is also relevant to note that the Council is presently considering a Notice of Requirement to alter the alignment of the Harbour arterial, so that it follows the railway line past the stadium and into Ravensbourne Road.”

The reference is to closure and rezoning… not road stopping, per se.

The AEE report was prepared by Beca Carter Hollings & Ferner Ltd (Beca). December 2007.

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Currently, council’s (temporary) closure of the Leith Access Way has not been notified despite the physical fact of closure, which ignores District Plan requirements for access.

Health and safety laws require control of a workplace

### ODT Online Wed, 27 May 2009
Stadium stunt backfires
By Chris Morris

Department of Labour officials are less than thrilled with Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin’s handling of a mechanical excavator.
Read more

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### ODT Online Wed, 27/05/2009 – 1:50am.
Comment by anneeliot on What were they thinking?

I am utterly surprised that the carry-on by two inexperienced elderly men with a substantial piece of machinery would go unnoticed by OSH and those at Hall Bros responsible for the company’s health and safety policies. What were they thinking??

### ODT Online Wed, 27/05/2009 – 6:09am.
Comment by gplusa on There he goes again

Just when we all thought it was safe to hold our heads up in public again. We had more favourable publicity when students burnt couches in the streets. On the positive side, I can’t wait for what will happen next. Pie throwing? One of those little bicycles? Someone phone Phil Sprey, quick.

### ODT Online Wed, 27/05/2009 – 9:50am.
Comment by anneeliot on I am glad this

I am glad this ridiculous event is not going unnoticed by the Department of Labour. It is, of course, Hall Bros rather than Mr Chin who should be censured. He was just acting foolishly, while Mr McEwan is ultimately responsible.
Read more