More rash spending for 2011 RWC

UPDATED

### scoop.co.nz Thursday, 18 June 2009, 5:22 pm
Media Release
City Vision-Labour Councillors – Auckland City Council
For Immediate Release
Thursday 18 June 2009

C&R Afflicted With “Rugby World Cup-itis”

At today’s Auckland City Council meeting, the Citizens and Ratepayers (C&R) councillors voted for an $84.5 million dollar project on Queen’s Wharf which will host the public space activities for the Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) described as ‘Party Central’ by the Prime Minister.
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### TVNZ News Published: 4:30PM Thursday June 18, 2009
Wharf development to cost ratepayers $84m
Source: Newstalk ZB/ONE News

Auckland City ratepayers will have to come up with $84 million to redevelop Queens Wharf. After lengthy debate on Thursday afternoon, councillors approved a plan that will include strengthening the wharf and turning two empty sheds into cruise liner terminals in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
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### TVNZ News Published: 12:56PM Thursday June 11, 2009
Queens Wharf to be RWC ‘party central’
Source: ONE News

Auckland’s Queens Wharf will be used as ‘party central’ during the Rugby World Cup and could end up with a new cruise ship passenger terminal.
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Video Link (2:50)

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### ODT Online Fri, 19 Jun 2009
Funding dispute over Auckland waterfront plan

The day after Auckland City Council voted on a $84 million plan to revamp Queen’s Wharf for the 2011 Rugby World Cup a dispute is brewing over how it will be funded. Any decision about funding will have to be signed off by an board charged with overseeing Auckland’s transition to a single “super city”. NZPA
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### ODT Online Fri, 19 Jun 2009
ARC not keen on plans for Queen’s Wharf

Auckland Regional Council (ARC) chairman Mike Lee does not like the $84 million plan Auckland City Council voted on to revamp Queen’s Wharf for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Mr Lee told Radio New Zealand that he visited the [wharf] sheds today and was under-whelmed.
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### Radio New Zealand National Friday, 19 June 2009 7:12 AM
Morning Report with Geoff Robinson and Sean Plunket
Uncertain future for Queens Wharf development

Joining Morning Report is Auckland City mayor John Banks.
Audio Link (Duration 3′54″)

DCC hedges on details of Carisbrook deal

UPDATING

DCC says sale price not included in the $198 million cost of the Otago stadium. Just how much is DCC prepared to spend of ratepayers’ money on the stadium project…

### ODT Online Thu, 18 Jun 2009
Carisbrook deal believed to be $7m
By Chris Morris
The Dunedin City Council will be handed the keys to Carisbrook within weeks in a deal believed to be worth $7 million to the Otago Rugby Football Union.
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### Southland Times Last updated 05:00 18/06/2009
‘Brook price tag affected by debts
Rugby union bailed out
By Ryan Keen in Dunedin
Dunedin City Council’s boss admits Otago rugby’s multimillion-dollar debts were a factor in the price agreed for historic sports arena Carisbrook.
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### ODT Online Thu, 18/06/2009 – 6:59am.
Comment by house on Why does the DCC need to buy Carisbrook?
If there is a new stadium being built, then why does the council need to buy the existing one? Surely the ORFU should just hock it off, pay their debts and rent the new stadium? Could someone please remind me why the council is taking this step? I’m sure there is a logical and financially prudent reason… or maybe not, logic doesn’t seem to sit well with this lot.

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### ODT Online Thu, 18/06/2009 – 11:18am.
Comment by Max_Power on What the…
I am a stadium supporter… but this is just stupid. Council will bulldoze Carisbrook, then sell the land off for a couple of million to a private developer who will make millions. $7 million to buy, $3 million to bulldoze means that even if the land is sold off for $5 million there’s a $5 million loss. Why couldn’t it just go on the open market and the ORFU cop a loss and beg the NZRFU for the money? The idea of turning some of [it] into a sports ground is stupid. There are enough grounds within walking distance already that hardly ever get used. It’s time to stop spending money and get the stadium built. As a footnote, the DCC has always funded the ORFU. Key players in the amateur era were given cushy jobs at council to keep them in Dunedin.

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### ODT Online Thu, 18/06/2009 – 10:26am.
Comment by md on Our purchase of Carisbrook
Dear Editor, As a ratepayer, I would simply like to know what the logic is, that is, why does Chin think that his ratepayers want to own Carisbrook. Do we not have enough to contend with. Would you please ask him and maybe report on this aspect. Thank you.

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It’s not very likely that ‘prostadia’ and ‘antistadia’ people will be found to support DCC’s purchase of Carisbrook.

There is no shortage of industrial land in Dunedin (discussed in reports to stadium and harbourside plan changes last year).

DCC showing overt favouritism to the private business of ORFU (in all its financial failings) will rankle widely.

The councillor that called the Carisbrook purchase “cheap as chips” has the brains of a nematode.

I recall this phrase issuing from the mouth of a certain councillor once before. They shouldn’t be in local government. And they most certainly shouldn’t have responsibility for the (mis)use of ratepayer funds.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Eckhoff: ORC is "not a subsidiary of the DCC".

The stadium will be funded by borrowings, to be repaid over 15 years by the ratepayer…

### ODT Online Thu, 18 Jun 2009
Opinion
Change site and save our money
By Gerrard Eckhoff

The Otago Regional Council is about to increase its rate take for 2009-10. Gerrard Eckhoff suggests the rises are unsustainable. On the 24th of this month, the Otago Regional Council is set to increase the actual rate take by 35% for 2009-10.
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• Gerrard Eckhoff is an Otago regional councillor.

Rodney Hide: "Never too late" for a referendum

Butler: Stadium issues caused Mr Hide to “raise his eyebrows a few times”…

### ODT Online Thu, 18 Jun 2009
No Hide inquiry into stadium
By Elspeth McLean

Local Government minister Rodney Hide says he will be “keeping an eye” on issues around Forsyth Barr Stadium, but he will not be calling for a government inquiry.
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