KEY POINTS:
Officials have warned the Government to fast-track the remaining resource consents needed for the Rugby World Cup redevelopment of Eden Park or risk failing to complete it on time.
The warning is contained in briefings to incoming ministers from the Ministry of Economic Development.
The briefing recommends the Government use its powers under the Resource Management Act to "call in" the remaining consents, because of Auckland City Council's failure to meet statutory timeframes in processing the two consents granted so far.
Any failure of the council to meet statutory timeframes in the remaining consents would throw out the construction timeline.
"Failure to meet these obligations could result in New Zealand losing the RWC 2011 hosting rights."
The ministry recommends the consents be referred directly to the Environment Court or a statutory board for a decision due to the projected $507 million a successful tournament is expected to contribute to New Zealand's GDP.
It says calling in the project would remove one potential appeal from the process.
However it says even then a risk would remain of a judicial review or appeal on a point of law that could cause crucial delays.
It said the only solution that would remove all risk would be some form of "legislative resource consent".
However, it says officials have not looked closely into that option.
A separate briefing from Rugby World Cup Ltd, the company set up to run the 2011 event, says the global economic downturn could lower the $280m expected from ticket sales.
The tournament is set to cost $310m to stage, leaving a loss of $30 million to be carried by the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Government.
A dip in ticket sales would mean taxpayers picking up more of the tab.
Another related risk is the potential inability of New Zealand's tourism infrastructure to cope with the influx of people.
If people stayed away because they could not get accommodation, that too would affect ticket sales and other economic benefits.
Associate Rugby World Cup Minister Gerry Brownlee said he had "every confidence that the Rugby World Cup will be run successfully in New Zealand in 2011".
"The undertakings have been made on behalf of the whole of New Zealand and we'll be honouring those."
- NZPA
