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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