Port operations critical in stadium choice

Port operations critical in stadium choice

Most Aucklanders would support the waterfront stadium if it did for Auckland what the opera house does for Sydney, but the present design and site proposed won't allow for this, the Employers & Manufacturers Association says.

Most important to Auckland business is that significant disruption to cargo operations at the Port of Auckland must be avoided, said Bruce Goldsworthy, EMA's Acting Chief Executive. (Alasdair Thompson is at the APEC meeting in Vietnam.)

"Auckland's port is New Zealand's front door for freight; neither the Auckland economy nor the country can afford for it to be only half open," Mr Goldsworthy said.

"If the waterfront stadium proposal is to win business support and proceed, Auckland businesses need iron tight assurances that the ports operations will not be detrimentally affected.

"Regardless of the site chosen for the stadium, Auckland must decide that it wants the facility built in the region so the benefits of the Rugby World Cup are retained in the region."

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