Mystery private stadium plan for Auckland waterfront

Wednesday, 10 October 2018

The Government failed in a bid in 2006 to get Auckland backing for a stadium to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

A private sector plan to build a stadium on Auckland's waterfront is being promoted around the city under strict confidentiality.

The promoters met with Auckland Council executives last week, and the mayor Phil Goff has left the door open to any plans that don't involve public funding.

Stuff understands the idea being promoted is for a stadium on Bledisloe Wharf which would be partly below ground level to reduce the height impact.

The council-owned Ports of Auckland is making no comment on whether such a plan has been discussed.

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The latest proposal in the on-again-off-again saga of a possible downtown stadium, appears to have gained little traction with key players.

Mayor Phil Goff was not at last week's meeting but his staff did discuss the plan with unnamed promoters twice, in May and August.

“We are open to considering a national stadium being funded from the private sector,' Goff said in a statement.

“I would welcome public debate around the design and location of any stadium which would provide council with valuable feedback on possible options for the future.”

Stuff understands there is little enthusiasm elsewhere in the council and its agencies.

The idea of a publicly-funded downtown stadium has been parked, following the release of a $935,000 report commissioned by Goff, which found it feasible but needing considerably more study.

The PWC study estimated construction costs of $1.5 billion, but said any decision needed to be weighed up against the cost of upgrading Eden Park in suburban Kingsland.

The future of stadia in Auckland is complicated by the uncertainty over the long-term future of Eden Park, currently the country's premier stadium.

Eden Park is owned by an independent trust, with five government appointees and a council guarantee for $40 million of its debt.

It covers its operating expenses but can't afford any significant upgrading, and neither the council nor Government have expressed interest in chipping in.

The venue's ability to earn significantly more from major events is limited by planning restrictions which have so far foiled plans to stage night concerts, even though a right to seek permission exists.

Eden Park said it knows nothing of the private sector plan for the waterfront.

Bledisloe Wharf is within the main port cargo area, and there are no plans to free it for other uses.

Auckland Council has no significant budget available in the next three years to explore new stadium plans.

'Council is not in the position to finance a stadium through rate-payer funding and it is not on our current list of priorities,' said Goff.

The last serious proposal for a waterfront stadium was in 2006 when the government failed to get agreement with Auckland's local bodies for a new venue to stage the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

It opted instead for a $190 million upgrade of Eden Park.

Stuff has tried to contact the promoter, without success.