World Cup 'party base' under threat
Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:56
The proposed development of Auckland's waterfront into a "party base" for the 2011 Rugby World Cup has experienced a major stumbling block as authorities squabble over who will pick up the NZ$84 million (R 436 million) tab.
The Auckland City Council voted to redevelop two sheds on the inner city Queen's Wharf to be used as a focal point for fans during the World Cup in New Zealand's largest city.
The council has pledged only NZ$54 million for the project, and asked the central government to cough up the remaining $30 million. However, Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully said the central government has already paid $20 million for the purchase of the wharf and it was not looking to make further investments, despite 35% of the project's economic benefit going to the entire country.
"I would expect them to ask for the funding but I've certainly not given them any comfort in that respect," McCully told Radio New Zealand.
"The point I make is we've already made a significant commitment."
Auckland mayor John Banks said he was still confident the redevelopment would be completed in time.
"We've put aside a [estimate] of $84 million to restore the classic 1912 warehouses, and upgrade the wharf and secure it. So we don't know, we hope the figure is south of that," he said.
"We have to get the restoration project going in the first quarter of next year if we want it up and running for the World Cup and that it is my commitment."
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