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Some Dunedin people want a rates boycott after the Otago Regional Council voted to put millions toward a new sports stadium.
The council voted three to one to commit the money to the project, despite outbursts from frustrated ratepayers.
The controversial stadium is planned to replace Dunedin's Carisbrooke Stadium.
"I still believe that the synergies that are created with the University of Otago potentially future proof that institution, and it will keep Dunedin alive and vibrant," says Stephen Cairns, Otago Regional Council chairman.
The 30,000 seat venue is estimated to cost a total of nearly
$200 million.
If certain conditions are met on time, the city council will fund
$90 million and the regional council will give $37.5 million.
The terms include the city council, university and community trust
having to front up with the money that they have
promised.
And a $15 million shortfall has to be met by either the government or another external funding source and the regional council payments will not begin until construction on site has begun.
It will still cost the average Dunedin ratepayer nearly $100 a year.
And that has got some preparing for drastic action.
"We immediately will encourage Dunedin residents to cancel their
direct debit as a first stage of a rates revolt," says Bev Butler
of Stop the Stadium.
But the stadium seems to have support on the street.
Developers say it is still achievable to have the venue ready for the Rugby World Cup in two years time.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentdeltic said on 2009-06-14 @ 15:49 NZDT: Report abusive post
And people say trainspotters are sad, here we have a cult that loves stadiums, great dreary columns of glass and steel. And to think of all the exciting, things you could do with $200plus mill, that would bring in more visitors to a heritage town, of which currrently numbers are dropping, nothing is being added, not now with this sucker forced on us. Mediocrity rules and costs dearly.
deltic said on 2009-05-05 @ 21:46 NZDT: Report abusive post
The $1.34 price is all spin, 200 million, add on 51 spent so far trying to con, plus just a few years ago millions spent on Carisbrook, 9 year old state of the art buildings to be bowled. Plus the purchase of Carisbrrok , add another 5 mill. Any worthy project gets refused for a drop in the bucket amount. Anyway, if every fringe cause like this wanted $1.34, we'd have a huge bite on our rates. It's a matter of principle.
deltic said on 2009-05-05 @ 21:41 NZDT: Report abusive post
So, suddenly, we are expecting, the likes of Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, Cold Play are suddenly going to make for Dunedin? To fill the stadium, due to population, they'd have to by pass CHCh and try encourage all the punters to come down here. Even if we got one concert a year, its a laugh against the price. The concept of boarding a transportation device like a bus or aeroplane hasn't bothered me so far. the big act orgnaisers said no anyway, they know it wouldnt pay!
hallum11 said on 2009-05-02 @ 13:50 NZDT: Report abusive post
Max! Good work man! agree with every word of it! Forwarded to dad this morning, he likes your thinking! Reece
deltic said on 2009-04-29 @ 23:27 NZDT: Report abusive post
Ps, it might just be a little fatuous that the 'silent majority' didnt get counted because they 'decided not' to sned back the survey. Such is the rhetoric of the pro-stadium cult. Get real!