AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE

23 November 2006

Auckland City Council agrees on waterfront stadium site preference

Auckland City Council tonight responded to Central government's request to indicate a preference between two principal options for a 60,000 seat stadium site- the waterfront and Eden Park.

Council resolved to advise the Government that its preference is for a waterfront stadium site with a design that reflects Auckland and a location as far east as possible.

Auckland City Councillors considered a wide range of matters including public feedback, urban design, economic development opportunities, transport considerations, resource consent issues, stadium design and construction times, costs and funding.

"I am aware this has taken a great deal of time and commitment from councillors, staff and other interested groups and I thank them for all their efforts, " says Mr Hubbard.

"I would also like to thank members of the public who have taken the time to indicate their preference and contribute to this process."

The Auckland Regional Council will deliberate on this tomorrow. Central government has indicated it will make a decision next week.

The final council resolutions.

CHOOSING A STADIUM SITE LOCATION

Final resolutions His Worship the Mayor put the substantive motion: A. That Council expresses its support for the provision of a 60,000 seat national stadium in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, and agrees that it is essential that this stadium be in Auckland. CARRIED B. That the Council expresses to government that its strong and absolute preference is for a national stadium on a waterfront site provided that: a. It is located substantially eastwards of the government's proposed location, preferably abutting Tinley Street on Bledisloe Wharf land, the final position to be agreed with Council. A division was called for on resolution B (a), voting on which was as follows: For the Motion: Against the Motion: Councillors: Doug Armstrong Leila Boyle Bill Christian Glenda Fryer Linda Leighton Toni Millar Scott Milne Graeme Mulholland Richard Northey Noelene Raffills Vern Walsh His Worship the Mayor Dick Hubbard Councillors: Neil Abel Cathy Casey Christine Caughey John Hinchcliff Deputy Mayor Dr Bruce Hucker Penny Sefuiva Richard Simpson Faye Storer

The motion was declared CARRIED by 12 votes to 8. b. with a design that is bold, iconic and reflects our first city of the Pacific aspirations, for the reasons that: i. it will open up the waterfront to the public years if not decades before it would be otherwise ii. its alignment with Council's vision for the waterfront and the central business district revitalisation strategy iii. it uses and leverages off all the past investment made into the central business district including Britomart Transport Centre, Transit NZ's central motorway junction improvements, streetscape upgrades and private investment iv. it will provide a catalyst for bringing increased life, energy and activity into the city v. it is located adjacent to accommodation, cafes, restaurants and other entertainment facilities vi. it will accelerate investment in to the central business district in the future vii. it can be a multi-use facility, including arts, cultural and sporting events, with less limits on its operation than Eden Park viii. existing transport services and infrastructure is capable of providing the capacity needed to have good access to the site

C. That Council note: a. Government's desire to build a national stadium on the Auckland waterfront b. That there would be very substantial national funding contribution c. That government have offered to institute special taxes that would contribute significant funding d. That as a national stadium it will be owned by government, with government taking all construction and operational risk e. That government are not expecting or requiring any rate payer funding for the construction of the stadium, however council will need to contribute to the associated transport and precinct upgrades D. That Council, while welcoming the opportunity given to Council by government to comment on the location of a stadium, also note: a. The unusual and restricted time constraints placed by Government on Council in commenting on it's preferred site, and the challenges Council faces because of this b. That this has not caused Council to support a less optimal site as a reaction to these challenges but has formed it's views based entirely on it's consideration of what is the best site for a multi-use stadium in the long term beyond the Rugby World Cup

E. That Council's preference is conditional on Government urgently negotiating and resolving all issues with the port company, cricket and rugby organisations, the Auckland Regional Council and other major stakeholder groups to allow placement of the stadium substantially to the east.

F. That Council requests Government immediately to set up a design panel, jointly approved by Government, Auckland Regional Council and Auckland City Council to develop the current waterfront stadium proposal to achieve the world class architecture and urban design that the site warrants and be represented and involved on a continuing project management basis.

G. That Council complete a precinct masterplan for the waterfront site, noting that this would need to include bringing forward Grafton Gully Stage 3 providing there is no change to current priorities to allow the boulevarding of Quay Street sooner, the acquisition of and development as public space of Queens Wharf, and the construction of the Te Wero bridge to connect the marine events area.

H. That Council's second preference, should a waterfront site not be possible, is the redevelopment of Eden Park in line with the enhanced design that completes the seating bowl with covered seating and a lower roof.

A division was called for on resolution H, voting on which was as follows: For the Motion: Against the Motion: Councillors: Neil Abel Doug Armstrong Leila Boyle Bill Christian Deputy Mayor Dr Bruce Hucker Linda Leighton Scott Milne Richard Northey Noelene Raffills Penny Sefuiva Faye Storer Vern Walsh His Worship the Mayor Dick Hubbard Councillors: Cathy Casey Christine Caughey Glenda Fryer John Hinchcliff Toni Millar Graeme Mulholland Richard Simpson

The motion was declared CARRIED by 13 votes to 7.

I. That in order to keep the 60,000 seat stadium and the Rugby World Cup finals in Auckland, then the following sites would be acceptable to Council if Council's preferred sites were impractical - Carlaw Park, Mt Smart and North Harbour, to the extent that these prove to be practicable if required. CARRIED by 17 votes to 3 by division A division was called for on resolution I, voting on which was as follows: For the Motion: Against the Motion: Councillors: Neil Abel Doug Armstrong Leila Boyle Bill Christian Deputy Mayor Dr Bruce Hucker Linda Leighton Scott Milne Richard Northey Noelene Raffills Penny Sefuiva Faye Storer Vern Walsh His Worship the Mayor Dick Hubbard Councillors: Cathy Casey Christine Caughey Glenda Fryer John Hinchcliff Toni Millar Graeme Mulholland Richard Simpson

The motion was declared CARRIED by 13 votes to 7.

A division was called for on the remainder of the resolutions, voting on which was as follows: For the Motion: Against the Motion: Councillors: Doug Armstrong Leila Boyle Bill Christian Glenda Fryer Deputy Mayor Dr Bruce Hucker Linda Leighton Toni Millar Scott Milne Graeme Mulholland Richard Northey Noelene Raffills Vern Walsh His Worship the Mayor Dick Hubbard Councillors: Neil Abel Cathy Casey Christine Caughey John Hinchcliff Penny Sefuiva Richard Simpson Faye Storer

The balance of the motion was declared CARRIED by 13 votes to 7.

ENDS

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