KEY POINTS:
A jazzed-up south stand with more permanent seats is a feature of improved plans for Eden Park that stick within a tight $190 million budget set by the Government.
Rugby World Cup Minister Trevor Mallard yesterday released changes to plans for the 2011 showcase venue, which are a step up from a February proposal where half the ground would be temporary seating, but short of the grand $385 million upgrade favoured by the Eden Park Trust Board.
Mr Mallard said experts found there was little cost difference between the two options because of issues around putting up and taking down temporary seats and a temporary roof.
"It made sense to go for an all permanent south stand. It is also a much better legacy for the park."
In another development, the Government and the Eden Park Trust Board have signed a formal agreement for redevelopment of the historic sports ground and set up a redevelopment board of four Government appointees plus board trustee Rob Fisher.
PricewaterhouseCoopers partner John Waller is chairman. The other members are McKee Fehl Construction general manager Brian Nightingale, Ministry of Economic Development deputy secretary Neville Harris and Rugby NZ 2011 tournament services general manager Nigel Cass.
The redevelopment board spells the end of the Eden Park Trust Board, which has owned and operated Eden Park for the benefit of Auckland Rugby and Auckland Cricket.
Its first priority will be to secure resource consents for the new design so work can begin by April at the latest. That will allow it to be completed 12 months before the World Cup so the new stadium can be fully tested.
Mr Mallard was hopeful the redevelopment board could resolve concerns by the Eden Park Neighbours Association, which has lodged an appeal with the Environment Court over the resource consents for a previous design.
Association president Mark Donnelly said the group had seen the new designs and "on the face of it it seems to strike the right balance between the residential area and the redeveloped stadium". The next step was to look at those issues in depth and take a new look at shading and traffic.
Mr Mallard reiterated that the Government would underwrite the $190 million redevelopment but the board would be responsible for raising funds.
Papers released to the Weekend Herald under the Official Information Act show that in February the Government expected to get $90 million to $120 million from other sources, including the Lotteries Commission, Auckland City Council and the park trust board.
A trust board spokeswoman said it would make a contribution but the amount was not decided. Previously the board has talked of $60 million.
