Dumb and dumber

If you think the stadium is a silly idea (and I only disagree really because it's a waste of public money, not on planning grounds), look at this plan to make Albany "a city in it's own right".

Like Auckland needs more "edge cities" on greenfield sites! I suppose there might be a place for this in 20-30 years time when the central city reaches an optimal density, but not now. I know Albany has a busway link to the city but that isn't going to help when people living in the eastern, southern and western suburbs get jobs there and need to commute in - and they will.

Just *why* am I buying a new stadium?

Apparently the government is minded to build a $700 million new stadium on a waterfront site in Auckland. Plus $150mln for land and relocation costs (and that seems quite cheap, assuming the port will have to relocate to Tauranga). If this doesn't work, then the bargain alternative is to spend $350mln improving Eden Park.

I don't really care where they build it. If they did build on the waterfront, then I'll lose what remains of my view from work (below) and won't be able to walk to the rugby/cricket any more. But I'll probably have moved house and job by then.



I just don't see why the taxpayer needs to fork out for this. If the hospitality/rugby industry feels it essential, why don't they raise the money themselves? I have better things to spend $400 (waterfront) or $160 (Eden Park) than to build a stadium for a match I'll almost certainly not get tickets for.