Auckland's Eden Park to seek resource consent to stage six concerts a year

Wednesday, 11 December 2019

Stuff survey finds most Eden Park neighbours are in favour of more concerts. First published May 2019

The Eden Park Trust will submit a resource consent application to hold up to six concerts a year at the stadium.

Under Auckland Council's Unitary Plan, the stadium is entitled to apply to stage up to six shows a year.

The trust made the announcement on Thursday morning, saying it was asking for the application to be publicly notified so people could have their say.

If the idea was accepted, Auckland Council was likely to call for submissions on the application in late January 2020.

More live shows could be coming to Eden Park.

* Auckland venue new bid to stage concerts

* Eden Park's future: What neighbours think**

'We're seeking consent to do what is conditionally provided for – stage music and cultural shows at New Zealand's national stadium,' the trust's chief executive Nick Sautner said.

'The restrictions Eden Park is required to operate under are unique among stadiums across the country, making all but the most everyday sports events unaffordable to deliver.'

The debate around Eden Park is ongoing. Residents views. First published in Sept 2018

The stadium's first ever proposed concert, a charity event co-organised by the Sir Ray Avery Foundation, was met with stiff opposition in 2018.

One of its most high-profile detractors was former prime minister Helen Clark, who lives nearby.

The event did not go ahead due to the prospect of substantial Environment Court costs.

A Stuff survey conducted earlier this year showed nearly 80 per cent of people living around Eden Park supported the stadium's ambition to stage night concerts.

Only 14 per cent of residents opposed the stadium being allowed to stage up to six concerts a year, without having to go through a full planning approval for each one.

Some estimates say six concerts a year could bring in up to $6 million for the cash-strapped stadium.

Sautner said the trust wanted to invest 'significant amounts' into an acoustic barrier to limit the sound from concerts to 75 dB in residential areas.

By comparison, Western Springs and North Harbour stadiums have an 82 dB limit.

Before applying for the concerts, the park would engage with a community liaison group which included local residents, Auckland Council and police representatives, Sautner said.

Wider consultation would also be undertaken with neighbours and local businesses.