Last Ditch Effort to Halt Dunedin Stadium

Big news today – ODT reports the Stop The Stadium group has sought a High Court injunction to stop the Dunedin City Council from signing any contracts to do with construction of the new Dunedin Stadium. This came as a massive surprise to the Council who were planning to meet on Monday to finalise construction details. This appears to be the last ditch effort to stop the Council continuing without further public ocnsultation

The Stop the Stadium Group claims several changes in the plans mean the Dunedin City Council should have to go back to the public in consultations, these changes include – “$10 million increase in the cost of the project, the $3 million reduction in the contribution from the Community Trust of Otago, the “external contribution” of $15 million being recorded without explanation of its source, the $22.8 million increase in the bridging loan requirement, a budget based on $165.4 million in construction costs not previously specified and private funding of $45.5 million, which had changed significantly.”

While I do not agree with some of the tactics and comments of the Stop the Stadium group I agree with them that further consultation with the ratepayers is neccessary. The increase in public money and increased risk for ratepayers mean that the council should make it part of their long-term planning consultations. The arguments for and against the stadium are equally compelling, but I feel that the real issue is public consultation. Ratepayers should be allowed a say when this much of their money is to be spent, whether they support or oppose the stadium is their choice.