V8 knockback 'embarrassing for Auckland'

By STUART DYE

Auckland has embarrassed itself on the international stage and events promoters will turn their backs on the city, says the Australian boss of V8 Supercars.

The stinging attack came after three independent commissioners ruled against the multimillion-dollar central Auckland street car race, saying traffic jams, noise and community impacts were too much.

Tony Cochrane, chairman of Avesco, which runs the V8 Supercars, said the surprise decision was an embarrassment for Auckland.

"Operators in the international sporting events business have been sent a clear message not to door-knock Auckland," he said.

But North Shore Mayor George Wood said the decision could be the catalyst for improvements to regional roading and transport infrastructure.

He said it was a shame the event did not get the go-ahead but now "councils can get on with the business of improving transport for all Aucklanders, with projects such as the Victoria Park flyover upgrade, and boosting public transport and roading regionwide".

The commissioners, David McGregor, Ross Gee and Gordon Macfarlane, said traffic in certain parts of the roading system "raised a distinct prospect of gridlock".

Advice "to pack up and get out of town" if the noise and disruption became too great was "an extraordinary means of mitigating the adverse effects of an event and simply not acceptable in the context of this application".

Yesterday's resource consent ruling brought down the curtain on a plan first unveiled nine months ago.

The council and event promoter IMG wanted the race to take place around Victoria Park in central Auckland every year for seven years from April 2006.

But the proposed race track would cut off vital routes into downtown Auckland, including the harbour bridge.

The plan polarised the city. Supporters said it would be a showpiece event bringing economic benefits.

Opponents said it would bring traffic chaos and they questioned the economic figures.

The commissioners' decision said the race plan raised the distinct prospect of traffic jams in some streets and on motorways.

The council and IMG tried to compare it to Apec and the America's Cup - other events held in Auckland - but the commissioners said "the scale of this event is hugely different in scope and time ... particularly when the location and nature of the event are taken into account".

The decision said even if the traffic could be controlled in 2006, it could not be assumed this would be so for the next six years.


Backers said the event, had it gone ahead, was expected to attract 170,000 people and be watched by a global television audience of more than 100 million.

City councillor Scott Milne, one of the driving forces behind the race plan, agreed with Mr Cochrane.

"It was about getting Auckland up the list of cities capable and interested in hosting events, it was about showing the country and the world what a beautiful city we are and how we love to have fun. It is a tragedy for Auckland and New Zealand."

But the decision will save ratepayers $3.85 million, after the cost of hosting the event soared.

The commissioners said they were "disturbed at the limited extent" to which the race effects were evaluated against regional and district policies and plans.

Auckland Mayor Dick Hubbard said the decision had to be accepted.

Klaus Sorensen, of the Street Race Supporters Club, described Auckland as a "transport cripple" and said it was a huge blow.

The club's misery could be compounded by Wellington last night putting its hand up to capitalise on Auckland's rejection of the race.

Organisers of the 2Hot2Handle car show claim they are equipped to host a street race in 2006 and the city council's events manager, John Dawson, said there would be no need for a resource consent there.

But that news did not dampen the spirits of Aucklanders who campaigned against the race.

"We are over the moon," said city councillor Penny Sefuiva. "It's a win for the public and a win for public open space."


Commissioners decision: V8 supercar street race