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Speech notes prepared for the Auckland Domain (Auckland Tennis) Amendment Bill Second and Third Reading, 18 June 2008.

Mr Speaker, I move, That the Auckland Domain (Auckland Tennis) Amendment Bill be now read a second and a third time.

Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the members of the Local Government and Environment Committee for their prompt handling of this Bill. 

I would also like to thank other members of the House, across all parties, for their support of the Bill.

The Bill will amend the Auckland Domain Act 1987 to enable a proposed redevelopment of tennis and recreation facilities in the Auckland Domain. 

The Auckland Domain has been owned by Auckland City Council since 1893, and is held on trust by the Council as a place of public recreation and enjoyment. 

The Council is able to lease parts of the Auckland Domain to certain organisations, for example to Auckland Tennis, which has occupied part of the Domain since 1922. 

Across the world, tennis has the third highest annual spectator count of any sport, behind Soccer and Formula One.

Of these three major global sports, tennis is the only one that New Zealand hosts each year at an elite level.

Auckland Tennis hosts two major international events each year - the ASB Classic women's tournament and the Heineken Open men's tournament.

These events are important in promoting the region and country to an international audience and putting us on the map as a participant in international sporting events.

To remain on this lucrative and important circuit, and retain these two events, both these tournaments must meet circuit standards, which are assessed and reported on each year. 

These standards include player facilities, media facilities, and spectator facilities. 
The stadium facilities that host tournaments are therefore extremely important. 
The only stadium that can host these tournaments is the ASB Tennis Centre.

The last major upgrade of the tennis facilities was 20 years ago.

In order to make sure that Auckland retains the role of hosting these events on the world tennis circuit, the site needs to be redeveloped to meet the standards expected by players, spectators, sponsors, media and corporate supporters.

Therefore, Auckland Tennis proposes to lease part of the site to a third party developer, Next Generation Clubs of Australia Limited, to upgrade the current facilities. 

No taxpayer or ratepayer money has gone in the capital development of the stadium. 

It had been entirely developed through the efforts of Auckland Tennis and its volunteers. 

Auckland City Council and Auckland Tennis have consulted the interested persons in relation to the Bill.

These include;
other leasees,
tangata whenua, (Ngati Whatua Orakei)
Transit New Zealand in relation to roading,
relevant government departments,
and other groups with an interest in matters relating to the Auckland Domain. 

In order for the proposed redevelopment to go ahead, provisions in the Auckland Domain Act need to be amended. 

In particular:

The Bill extends the available lease term from 21 to 50 years to make the redevelopment financially viable for the developer.

It will allow Auckland Tennis to sublease part of the land to the developer - on the same conditions that Auckland Tennis has the primary lease.

There will be no transfer of ownership of the Domain land to Auckland Tennis or to third parties, nor will there be any change to the area of land that Auckland Tennis is currently occupying.

Continued public access to the Domain and to tennis facilities will be maintained if this Bill is passed. 

Although the upgraded facilities will be dedicated to players, media, sponsors and spectators during the major international tennis tournaments, the public will have access to tennis facilities in the Domain at all other times. 

All affected parties were consulted before the Bill was introduced.  Auckland City Council will also undertake a public consultation process regarding the issuing of a new lease and sublease in respect of the site if the Bill is successful.

Interested parties such as Ngati Whatua, other lessees on the Domain and the Friends of the Domain will be consulted.

By allowing the proposed redevelopment of tennis and recreation facilities in the Domain to go ahead, the Bill will clearly benefit Auckland and the wider New Zealand public. 

Madam Speaker, the redevelopment will mean that members of the public will have access to world class tennis and recreation facilities. 

This major redevelopment will be yet another step in building top class facilities for Auckland as intensification of the city continues.

Auckland CBD's population continues to grow (the number of CBD residents has more than doubled since 2001).

The city must keep pace with this growth so that CBD residents and workers can participate fully in their community and have access to adequate facilities and public spaces.

For recreational and community purposes, and as open space.

Auckland has huge number opportunities to develop, and the water front developments are absolutely key in this regard.

The redevelopment of tennis and recreation facilities in the Auckland Domain will ensure that the facilities meet international expectations and will help Auckland city to remain on the prestigious annual circuit for international tennis competitions.

I commend this Bill to the house.

 

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