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Protesters march against Dunedin's proposed new stadium - Source: ONE News -
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More than 1,000 people have taken to the streets in Dunedin to protest against the city's proposed new stadium.
The final stadium decision will be made next month but protesters are threatening to delay paying their rates if construction goes ahead.
Stadium opponents took taking their rates revolt to the city council doorstep.
"And the decision is clear to the people. No, no, no to the stadium!" says Bev Butler of Stop the Stadium.
With bagpipes, banners and a big turnout, protesters made their way up Dunedin's main street.
A final decision to build could be just weeks away.
The protesters say they will delay paying their rates if the stadium gets the green light.
"Then we will encourage people to cancel their direct debit as a signal to the council," says Butler.
The controversial venue would seat 30,000 fans, protected by a roof.
Set to cost $188 million, ratepayers would pick up a $65 million bill.
"I don't think we have the population base to justify it at this time of economic hardship," says one protester.
This is not the first time opposers have marched through the city against the stadium but Saturdays march will be the largest they have before the city council makes its decision next month.
Before that decision, stadium supporters have to raise $27 million in private funding to get the council's approval.
"We're expecting the next week, if it continues, to excede our target in that regard," says Malcolm Farry, the stadium trust chairman.
This week ONE News filmed a naming sponsor signing on, helping the trust's cause.
But although Forsyth Barr support the new stadium opponents say they will not have a bar of it.
