In the most recent Council meeting in May regarding the future of Western Springs Stadium Auckland’s mayor once again refused to allow members of the Western Springs Speedway Association the opportunity to speak.
This means representatives of the sport, far less any of the thousands of fans, have been repeatedly denied the opportunity to utter a single word in relation to the future of their own sport, a sport that has been in existence for over 96 years. That in itself is a damning indictment of the way the council has conducted this matter.
The mayor also refused to respond to evidence presented at the meeting regarding statements he had made showing bias and predetermination, his failure to declare the presence of a family member employed through the mayoral office and involved in the manoeuvres around Western Springs and finally whether he as mayor had engaged in any private meetings with any of the parties with an interest in securing the stadium.
As the meeting progressed he and others in the council remained resolutely mute as the sorry saga of misrepresentation, fabricated letters, conflicts of interest, secret meetings and misleading information were dutifully detailed by some of the councillors present. All up the meeting was yet another disappointing sham only this time a shambles as well with ongoing breaches of due process and clumsy attempts to both shut down opposition speakers and use bureaucrats as debating tools.
Serious questions now surely have to be asked regarding the ability of Auckland Council to continue with this process so flawed and compromised has been the behaviour to date. Judicial review proceedings have been filed in the High Court by the Western Springs Speedway Association. As an organisation looking to safeguard the best interest of their sport they have no choice.
The ongoing treatment of their entire sporting community, however, should serve as a salutary warning to all. Forget what may or may not happen at this stadium in the future. What is happening right now should be a rallying call for all Aucklanders with an interest in ensuring their fellow citizens (and ultimately themselves) are treated in a fair, respectful manner and in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act. It’s the Western Springs Speedway community being treated shamefully at the moment but it could be your community who’s next. (CR JOHN WATSON)
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12 comments
Keep up the good fight!
The apparent collusion happening out of sight is very concerning as is the bias toward opponents’ views being suppressed. I am not persuaded that the Mayor is acting with fairness nor transpency. It reminds me of the shady way the council acted during the Erebus memorial conflict, behaviour criticised by the Ombudsman. Admittedly there is a different mayor now, but the current issue – the plan to force the Speedway out in order to enable certain people to develop the area primarily for personal gain – is perhaps even more questionable than the Erebus manipulations were.
So proud to have you pushing for our beloved Western Springs. The Mayor and his cohorts should be prosecuted for their silent negligence to communicate, the High Court will hopefully bring out the result we all want.
Disgusting behaviour from the people elected to represent us Why? What have they got to 🙈 hide
In the sixties our Saturday’s always involved a trip to the park,armed with blankets and coushins,we new all the drivers names and their car or bike numbers.
I understand that the family who donated the land stipulated it was to stay a speedway track and concert venue for ever !!
Can’t believe Wayne Brown is working to close down the Western Springs speedway. As a long-time local resident, I always loved to hear the roar from the Springs …
longtime fan of the Ponsonby News …
if I was the Mayor , I think I would migrate to some unknown part of the world, safer
Time to give these stupid council members the message we all mean for the track to stay should go to a public vote and not by these idiots in the council determined to shut the track down.
This is a well written piece, it is unbelievable that certain members of this council are handling this so badly, it is incredible that they are trying to destroy such an iconic venue, this should be a wake up call for all Auckland residents, what will be next ?
Very well said I am in support of us staying there as a car powered and long time patron (54years) my family combined 150 odd years grandfather through to my now 18 month grand daughter.
Is the council not now trying to do this to one of the oldest and most used golf courses in Auckland they did it to that karts in mt Wellington and are attacking the Rosebank Rd racing futurity?
Cheers
Chris