Downtown stadium report now free for councillors to view - with conditions

Tuesday, 5 June 2018

Three Auckland councillors have hit out at the latest set of restrictions placed on the elusive $1 million downtown stadium report.

The bizarre saga of the waterfront stadium report continues with Auckland councillors now able to see the full unredacted report - but with a series of conditions.

Auckland mayor Phil Goff came under attack from within last month, after three councillors hit out at his handling of a $1 million feasibility report into the potential of a waterfront stadium.

They claimed the report could only be viewed in Goff's office under supervision, prompting councillors Cathy Casey, Efeso Collins and John Watson to complain to the Ombudsman.

As a result, unredacted copies of the stadium report would, as of Monday, be available for all councillors to read.

**READ MORE:

The report found that a new stadium would cost up to $1.5 billion.

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However, they have been told copies of the report must be kept in a secure location and, after reading them, councillors must return them to the mayor.

Casey said the conditions were ridiculous and elected members had the same rights to view the report as Goff.

'We do not accept the latest imposed restrictions surrounding the viewing of this report,' she said.

'We are elected representatives, just like the mayor. He has no more right of access than we have. In our three wards alone we represent nearly 500,000 Aucklanders.'

Goff's hoarding of the report had left him offside with several councillors, who questioned his lack of trust in them.

Watson said Goff's behaviour throughout the stadium saga was 'concerning' and a ratepayer-funded report should be open for all to see.

'We have the right to access information paid for by our residents especially when it's in relation to a proposal that carries with it the prospect of a $1 billion stadium project,' he said.

The report found a new stadium, which would have a retractable roof and could seat up to 55,000 spectators, would cost up to $1.5 billion – $700 million more than it would cost to bring Eden Park up to international standards.

However, ultimately it concluded a further, more detailed report was needed.

Collins said: 'I remain totally dismayed by this heavy handed behaviour. You'd think this report put our national security at risk with all these caveats in place.'

All three councillors confirmed they would formally contact the office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday to discuss the 'unnecessary set of restrictions' placed on the release of the report.