Council to hit Govt for $5.2m for Apec

By Bernard Orsman

AUCKLAND - The Auckland City Council has sprung a surprise $5.2 million bill on the Government for tarting up the city for Apec.

Much of the tab is for scheduled work that the council has brought forward for the September gathering of world leaders.

Sources say the council is trying to pass these costs on to the Government to lessen the impact of a 19.6 per cent rates rise.

The $5.2 million bill was part of a council submission yesterday on the Auckland Domain (Temporary Closure for Apec) Bill. A parliamentary select committee sitting in Auckland was asked to amend the legislation so the council could be reimbursed for preparing for Apec, disruption and any damage to the domain.

The bill allows the police to close the domain for security reasons for 48 hours - planned from 6 pm on Saturday, September 11 - with a seven-hour extension if necessary.

Deputy mayor Bruce Hucker said the council wanted freedom of movement in the domain limited as little as possible, access maintained in the central city and the right of people to protest preserved.

The council bill includes $3.45 million being spent this financial year, largely on road and pavement improvements in the central city, plus $1.8 million in the coming year.

Items range from improving the Auckland Museum area where leaders will meet, to sprucing up Queen Elizabeth Square.

At no stage last year did the council tell ratepayers the Government would pay for Apec costs. This year's annual plan says Apec costs will be met from "general rates."

The council chief executive, Bryan Taylor, told the select committee that the bid document for Apec said "the cost of hosting Apec meetings will be borne by central Government."

But under questioning, Mr Taylor conceded the council had no firm agreement with the Government for funding.

"This time next year you will still be chasing this money," said John Banks, a National committee member.

An Apec Taskforce spokesman, Peter Parussini, said outside the committee that most of the council figures were "new to us," but they were happy to talk to the council about costs.

It is understood the taskforce has asked the council only for a contribution to traffic management and street banners.

The taskforce is paying the council $580,000 to hire the Aotea Centre and town hall, plus $412,000 for an audio-visual contract with The Edge. Hiring the museum will cost $78,000.