New Zealand: Stadium ‘useless’ if sea level rises

Climate change, sea level rise and peak oil began the stadium plan change hearing in Dunedin yesterday, and a multinational oil company brought it to a close.

Waitati resident Scott Willis was first to give his evidence to the commissioners and said building a stadium could divert 20 years of staff resources and 20 years of ratepayer funding for something that could be “useless” if the latest scenarios on sea-level rise proved correct.

He said the issues of global recession and peak oil, “all with a backdrop of dangerous climate change”, meant the project was too risky.

“This is not something that’s going to go away.”

Emeritus Prof Jocelyn Harris said there were many more important projects to spend money on than a stadium, when a more than 1m rise in sea level was expected in the next 50 years.

“This is no time for business as usual.”

Expanding cycleways, building light rail, assisting with insulation and encouraging home gardens were just a few of the things that could be done with the money that was being spent on the stadium.

“I urge you to give Dunedin a chance and allow it to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.”

Otago Daily Times