From the naysayers -
Here is the link to the Council meeting Agenda for Tuesday 18th. From page 19 is the Council Officer’s report on the stadium proposal.
http://infocouncil.huttcity.govt.nz/Open/2014/03/HCC_18032014_AGN_AT.PDF
The report is pretty upbeat about the proposal and while it lists all the work that still needs to be done to assess the project, it still suggests that Councillors put it in the Draft Annual Plan. This is not surprising since it is written by Matt Reid, General Manager Community Services, who has been a major driving force behind the proposal. Among other things, he told us this morning that he anticipated that the Phoenix would use the green space outside the ‘arena’ for their general weekday practice area! We challenged him on the speed of the process, but it seems that he, like councillors, sees the 4 week Annual Plan consultation process as sufficient.
His report has a lot of material in it, but among other details is some idea of the potential costs and economic case. Even on the probably optimistic revenue numbers, the stadium makes a loss every year and needs to be supplemented by a $350,000 per year Council operating grant. Even then the proposal wouldn’t pay any depreciation or interest on the capital put in. The economic impact quoted is not consistent with genuine economic cost benefit analysis- so little weight can be put on the claims that this will provide ongoing benefits for the Hutt Valley.
Useful action from now:
· Those who want to read through the document can identify some useful questions for Councillors and contact them about it
· You are welcome at the Petone Community House on Saturday between 11 and 2 to discuss issues
· Attend the Community Board meeting on Monday 7pm at the Rugby Club
· Attend the Council meeting on Tuesday at 5.30pm
Anyone fancy going to the Community House tomorrow 15/3/2014 ?