Auckland's stadium stalemate: No timeline for key 'political discussion' on sports grounds

Saturday, 15 December 2018

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff's office says there's no timeline for 'political discussion' on Auckland's stadiums, which have to take place before speedway can move from Western Springs.

Progress on Auckland's stadium proposals has ground to a halt, with no timeline for the completion of key political talks.

Last month, in a surprise vote, the majority of councillors stymied speedway's proposed move from Western Springs to Colin Dale Park.

In June, a MoU was signed between Auckland Council, Regional Facilities Auckland and Speedway Promotions Limited – speedway promoters were to move from Western Springs from November 2019.

The move, which would have cleared the way for Western Springs to become the home of cricket in Auckland, will not be reconsidered until a 'political discussion' about Auckland's stadiums has taken place.

But a spokesman for Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says there 'is no timeline on its completion'.

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'He said at the time of the committee discussion on speedway that he understood councillors wanted to see a wider picture before making a final decision on speedway,' a statement from Goff's office read.

'The political discussion on the future of all of Auckland's stadia is underway, but as yet there is no timeline on its completion.'

Before a speedway decision was made, council would also hold discussions with the Eden Park Trust Board and the Government about the future of Eden Park, which Goff says is not financially viable.

Councillors would also discuss whether Auckland needs a new stadium at all – recent proposals range from a cricket oval at Western Springs to an ambitious $1.8 billion Auckland stadium plan for Auckland's waterfront.

On Wednesday, before councillors passed his annual budget proposals, Goff suggested Auckland's current stadium situation was unsustainable.

'We have a policy paper that we've discussed in workshops, produced by Regional Facilities Auckland, that makes a fundamental point – that says that the cost of maintaining our stadia overtime will go up,' he said.

'There will be substantial costs incurred in necessary renovations in the future – much of those stadiums are under-utilised and we need to make a decision around what strategy we as a council will pursue to end duplication, to get best possible utilisation and to minimise our renewal capex (capital expenditure) requirements.

'I understand that early in the new year Finance and Performance will consider whether or not we adopt that strategy – that's where we begin – and if we had an endless supply of money we would be able to do nothing.

'But if we do nothing those costs will go up and we won't end up with the best result for the dollar spent for Aucklanders.'

Goff had supported moving speedway to Colin Dale Park.

But that vote was scuppered by an amendment to postpone the debate until the political discussion taken place.

'He has said in the past that a cricket ground at Western Springs could potentially be an asset for Auckland but that it is not a priority and RFA would need to put together a business case to council to consider,' Goff's spokesman said.

Meanwhile, councillor Wayne Walker has expressed concern about potential changes to Auckland's stadium network.

'My concern … is that we may be embarking on the most expensive option, and there may be other options that might be closer to the status quo that are much more economical,' he told Wednesday's meeting.

'Bear in mind that in the long-term plan by far … the largest number of submissions were on the part of people that wanted speedway to be retained at Western Springs.'

In June, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Auckland Council, Regional Facilities Auckland and Speedway Promotions Ltd – a move bringing international cricket at Western Springs a step closer.

Once speedway's lease at Western Springs ends in November 2019, speedway promoters would likely move to Colin Dale Park.