With five months to go before the Rugby World Cup, and final decisions made on who will be playing where, the Dunedin City Council is picking up the pace of its planning for the event.
Deputy mayor Chris Staynes, chairman of the council group that oversees planning for the world cup, said council staff had been working with a wide variety of organisations responsible for cup activities.
Work had been divided between planning for the Forsyth Barr Stadium, to be called Otago Stadium for the event, and Carisbrook, but with certainty the former would be used, planning could now be finalised.
Council marketing and communications agency manager Debra Simes said this week that meant there would be more communication with the public on issues such as walking and vehicle routes during the world cup, as well as traffic management.
Businesses and residents affected by a 500m advertising "clean zone" around the stadium would be contacted, and residents would be advised how they could support or otherwise become involved in the tournament.
Ms Simes said many Dunedin organisations were involved, including emergency services, the tertiary sector, the Chamber of Commerce and Ngai Tahu, as well as Dunedin Venues Ltd, the Otago Rugby Football Union and many others.
"As we get things confirmed, we will release information to those directly affected and to the general public.
"We will also communicate plans to the many thousands of visitors expected to come to Dunedin to take part in the cup," Ms Simes said.
