Albert-Eden Local Board’s chairperson says they’re not opposed to more events at Eden Park after being put in the firing line by businesses.
The government is seeking feedback from the public and the council on its plan to increase the number of gigs at the venue to 12 large and 20 medium concerts a year.
On Thursday, the Dominion Road Business Association criticised the Local Board for not supporting the proposal.
The Local Board’s Margi Watson, however, told Morning Report on Friday that the business community and the public’s reaction was based on an incomplete record of information.
“We very much supported a lot that was in the proposal, there was nothing that we opposed,” Watson said. “What we raised was some concerns that we had about some of the things that pop up on a regular basis related to large events at Eden Park, and we asked that was considered and looked at.”
She said the mix-up may have arisen from people seeing an initial document put up on the council website, but did not read what the board’s view was in totality that was later loaded on the website.
“I think there’s some hysteria about what we’ve said and the views,” she said.
Watson raised concerns about traffic management during events.
Watson said large events would often blocked off access for some people in the neighbourhood, and required the diversion of key bus routes.
She said she’s not sure if Eden Park’s suggestion to provide carparking to 1500 cars on site would improve congestion.
Watson said they want to see a review of the traffic management plans, and they’d like to see more done around “integrated ticketing” – such as when tickets to big events would include bus and train fares.
She said she understands that Eden Park is planning to have conversations next week about reviewing the traffic management plan, and she looks forward to what comes out of that discussion.
Watson said Auckland Council will be sending feedback to the minister, including the Local Board’s view around noise and traffic, and an economic report – covering “assumptions about economic growth in the area” – and a noise report abut the impacts of moving from 12 large events to a greater number of small to medium events.
She said the Local Board has historically supported a range of changes at Eden Park, including the increase to 12 concerts which was approved last year, the later finishing of sporting events and concerts, and the diversifying of the use of the venue.
The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including a woman is killed by a shark in Australia, reprieve from hot nights on the way, and expect traffic chaos as sales escalate. (Source: 1News)
