“Some of the world’s biggest names in designing, building and running stadiums are behind a bold vision for a 55,000 rectangular stadium at Wynyard Point on the Auckland waterfront” we are breathlessly told by a Herald reporter, who quickly makes it clear that the same enthusiasts require a substantial contribution from council and government. “We are the only city in Australasia that hasn’t built a new stadium in the last 30 years”, asserts the principal promoter who calls himself a “financier”, failing to add that Auckland already has at least one too many stadiums, and next to Wellington, possesses the worst problems with underground infrastructure anywhere in New Zealand. Anyone following the local news will know that without the cost of a new stadium as well, Auckland already faces massive expenditure on infrastructural renewal: everything from a second harbour crossing to further separation of storm water from sewerage, to replacement of major sewer pipes all around the city. Remember the sink hole at the bottom of St George’s Bay Rd and the overflow into the Waitemata Harbour only a few months ago? And the consequential closure of Auckland’s beaches this summer to swimmers?
Mayors love to leave monuments behind them. Since the formation of One Big City in 2010 Auckland has paid dearly for indulging their ambitions. Len Brown (2010-2016) commissioned the Central Rail Link which is still being constructed, very slowly, and promises to cost us not only twice the original construction price, but to leave behind a $200 million annual fee for ratepayers once it is functional. Phil Goff (2016-2022) thinks he left a beautiful main street for us to enjoy - and then shot through to London, and doesn’t have to live with his handiwork – a ruined main street that is dangerous to venture into after dark because it is full of vagrants, beggars and piddlers. Attracting shoppers back to town requires the removal of the “for lease” signs that disfigure too many Queen Street shop fronts. A revived main drag is far in the future. Below Shortland Street there is a moderately commercial air to Queen Street at the moment, but it’s nothing to crow about. Wayne Brown (2022- ) is better known for his life spent in the Far North, but promised to “fix Auckland” when elected. At his age, he bears the hallmarks of a one-term mayor. Initially, he talked of a desire to improve the downtown area, but has already startled ratepayers with preliminary stories about huge rates hikes over the next few years to handle the city’s existing financial commitments. He hasn’t, so far, endorsed this latest stadium pie-in-the-sky. Let’s hope he doesn’t. His promise to “fix Auckland“ requires an unrelenting focus on management and finances.
Exacerbating Auckland’s financial problems is the high post-pandemic annual rate of immigration. A high proportion of the 130,000 immigrants remain in Auckland where the pressures on infrastructure are already huge. It takes time for newcomers to settle, find jobs and housing. Their demands for water and sewage add to an already collapsing system, raising the question of how to speed up necessary work. Public works contracts in Auckland are notoriously casual with time and cost over-runs. We have all seen the plethora of orange cones, the groups of workers standing around smoking, with little work being done. Bonuses for swift completion on budget seem not to be in favour when City Hall negotiates contracts.
Such are the financial burdens for already necessary projects that serious thought needs to be given to the on-going financing of local government. While renters pay some of their share of rates through their rents, property owners find it difficult to carry all the costs involved with infrastructural repair. It might well be that the time has come for some sharing of GST income. Certainly, there is no way that central government’s taxation can be much further reduced in the decade ahead.
And one thing is for sure. Auckland’s need for a new, expensive underwater stadium when there is so much else on-the-go is non-existent. Possibly, nice to have, but a waste of time, and of newsprint, at this stage of our journey.
Mayors love to leave monuments behind them. Since the formation of One Big City in 2010 Auckland has paid dearly for indulging their ambitions. Len Brown (2010-2016) commissioned the Central Rail Link which is still being constructed, very slowly, and promises to cost us not only twice the original construction price, but to leave behind a $200 million annual fee for ratepayers once it is functional. Phil Goff (2016-2022) thinks he left a beautiful main street for us to enjoy - and then shot through to London, and doesn’t have to live with his handiwork – a ruined main street that is dangerous to venture into after dark because it is full of vagrants, beggars and piddlers. Attracting shoppers back to town requires the removal of the “for lease” signs that disfigure too many Queen Street shop fronts. A revived main drag is far in the future. Below Shortland Street there is a moderately commercial air to Queen Street at the moment, but it’s nothing to crow about. Wayne Brown (2022- ) is better known for his life spent in the Far North, but promised to “fix Auckland” when elected. At his age, he bears the hallmarks of a one-term mayor. Initially, he talked of a desire to improve the downtown area, but has already startled ratepayers with preliminary stories about huge rates hikes over the next few years to handle the city’s existing financial commitments. He hasn’t, so far, endorsed this latest stadium pie-in-the-sky. Let’s hope he doesn’t. His promise to “fix Auckland“ requires an unrelenting focus on management and finances.
Exacerbating Auckland’s financial problems is the high post-pandemic annual rate of immigration. A high proportion of the 130,000 immigrants remain in Auckland where the pressures on infrastructure are already huge. It takes time for newcomers to settle, find jobs and housing. Their demands for water and sewage add to an already collapsing system, raising the question of how to speed up necessary work. Public works contracts in Auckland are notoriously casual with time and cost over-runs. We have all seen the plethora of orange cones, the groups of workers standing around smoking, with little work being done. Bonuses for swift completion on budget seem not to be in favour when City Hall negotiates contracts.
Such are the financial burdens for already necessary projects that serious thought needs to be given to the on-going financing of local government. While renters pay some of their share of rates through their rents, property owners find it difficult to carry all the costs involved with infrastructural repair. It might well be that the time has come for some sharing of GST income. Certainly, there is no way that central government’s taxation can be much further reduced in the decade ahead.
And one thing is for sure. Auckland’s need for a new, expensive underwater stadium when there is so much else on-the-go is non-existent. Possibly, nice to have, but a waste of time, and of newsprint, at this stage of our journey.
Historian Dr Michael Bassett, a Minister in the Fourth Labour Government, blogs HERE. - where this article was sourced.
5 comments:
The clamour for underground facilities near the harbour in an earthquake prone country troubles me. How quickly could Britomat fill? A harbour tunnel would seem especially risky. The train and any pumps would likely be stranded. Whether the existing is or not, bridges can be designed for quakes.
The only basis for downtown stadium seems to be that it is a public transport hub. Having view of the sea blocked by some vast structure used very occasionally but by only a small sector of the population seems very poor use. At least as an import car park use the sea can be glimpsed by casual passers without the need for a specific detour on foot for the purpose. Some system of shuttles to a less downtown location would seem the ideal.
Before grandiose plans are consented let Auckland commuters choose ferry travel via the uncongested water which Auckland surrounds . Uber cars are surprisingly well understood and efficient transport. Water Uber may utilise many pleasure boats languishing in marinas into a worthwhile ferry service . Auckland beaches only need a numbered floating pontoon arrangement and most seaside suburbs could have a delightful and timely solution to vehicle transport congestion and costly infrastructure not only to central Auckland
The best monument an Auckland mayor could leave for posterity would be to fix the mess bequeathed by previous mayors that is Auckland NOT add to the mess and waste.
Is it not interesting, that Auckland "touting itself as the Epi Centre of NZ", the happening place, has over years past always voted in Mayors, who have a -
[1] - destructive intent - John Banks
[2]- have Socialist leanings, (that the City dwellers love) - Len Brown, Phil Goff
[3] - spending other people's money on "image stupidity"
[4] - and when their terms are over - use the "was not me" farewell term.
I have always wondered, what if the then Council had listened to Sir Doug Myer-Robson and his "intent of placing a London City underground rail network below Auckland" (please understand Sir Doug had studied this issue with deep thought/ and had visited many Cities that had underground rail systems - compiled (personally) comprehensive data on this subject - he considered London more suitable to Auckland0 - would the current "dig" have taken place with the escalating costs that it is incurring?
I find it interesting, that with the myriad underground rail systems under London City, that they could develop a newer system - The Elizabeth Line (named after Qn Elizabeth 2nd) - if Auckland had followed Doug Myer-Robson, then, would they have been able to add to that, just like they have done in London.
Oh sorry, we do not think like, but spend more energy on All Black Rugby games, and get upset when we get beaten.
Another burden on already long suffering ratepayers is a no go.
Its time for councils everywhere to understand ratepayers are not cash cows.
Get back to running core services and leave grandiose schemes to the private sector.
Maybe look at a pole tax. Although rural parts of the "super city" would consider it a penalty paying tax for something they might never use.
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