KEY POINTS:
Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen says the Eden Park upgrade is on track but the Government will become concerned if there is continued drift.
He was responding to a planning setback for the 2011 Rugby World Cup project, which could require more consultation with neighbours.
Nine months after the Government unveiled a new scheme costing up to $190 million to upgrade the park, key questions about the design, cost and who will pay are unresolved.
That scheme, which has risen to $197 million, involves expanding the 46,000- seat stadium with a new south stand and temporary seating over the east and west stands.
It meets the International Rugby Board's requirement of a 60,000-seat stadium for the 2011 final.
Dr Cullen, acting for cup minister Clayton Cosgrove who is overseas, yesterday told TV One's Breakfast show the timeline for achieving 2011 was not at serious risk.
"We are not concerned yet, but obviously we would become concerned if there was continued drift."
Park redevelopment board chief executive Adam Feeley refused to detail its planning problems, which need resolving by lodging a fresh resource consent application with the Auckland City Council. Applying for a consent could take weeks or longer, he said.
Papers released to the Herald under the Official Information Act show that in February the Government expected to get between $90 million and $120 million from other sources towards the $197 million upgrade.
