Waterfront stadium: Quandary for Mallard after ARC votes No

ARC chairman Mike Lee. Picture / Paul Estcourt

The country is no closer to knowing if a revamped Eden Park or a planned new stadium on Auckland's waterfront will host the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Sports Minister Trevor Mallard refused to comment today on the Auckland Regional Council's decision to support a revamped Eden Park rather than a planned new stadium on the city's waterfront.

A fortnight ago Mr Mallard told both councils if they could not agree on the stadium, the Rugby World Cup would go to Jade Stadium in Christchurch.

Mr Mallard told reporters today he would go back to the Cabinet on Monday and until then would say nothing more about the stadium vote.

The ARC decision followed a vote last night by the Auckland City Council in support of the planned waterfront stadium.

He said the recommendations from the ACC and the ARC were not consistent and they would be discussed at Monday's Cabinet meeting on Monday.

He refused to answer questions. Mr Mallard then entered a car and departed.

ARC councillors have unanimously voted against the Government's grand plan for a new stadium on Auckland's waterfront.

The twelve councillors also unanimously supported the alternative proposal, the $385 million refurbishment of Eden Park.

The ARC's decision follows an Auckland City Council vote on the proposed stadium last night, which saw a majority of councillors voting in favour of the waterfront option.

But their vote was heavily qualified. They wanted a waterfront stadium but not where the Government does, but further east. According to Rugby World Minister Trevor Mallard that site - on Bledisloe Wharf - is not an option.

Regional councillors began their debate after a public speaking session this morning, where ratepayers expressed their opposition to the waterfront site.

Mr Mallard last week said he had asked both councils to give an order of preference and did not want them vetoing each other.

"If, for example, the Auckland City Council says its preference is for Eden Park but the waterfront would be acceptable, and the Auckland Regional Council say Eden Park is definitely a no, then you would go to the waterfront," Mr Mallard said.

A raft of recommendations put before regional councillors this morning pointed to the problems with the waterfront site.