600 march against stadium (+ pics)

Stop the Stadium protesters gather in Dunedin's Octagon. Photo by Craig Baxter
Stop the Stadium protesters gather in Dunedin's Octagon. Photo by Craig Baxter
About 600 people marched up Dunedin's main shopping street today to protest against ratepayer contributions being used for the proposed Awatea St Stadium.

The Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council have both supported a combined contribution of $129m sourced from rates and dividends from council companies.

The midday march was organised by Stop the Stadium group and attended by a range of people, from the elderly to young families.

The crowd was vocal, but peaceful, shouting loudly "No" when asked by march organiser Stop the Stadium president Bev Butler if they believed the proposed $188.5m price-tag for the new stadium was feasible.

Those who wanted the stadium built should seek money from sources other than ratepayers, Mrs Butler told the crowd.

A passion for resurrecting a once great rugby culture had replaced common sense in local government in Dunedin, Dr Marc Schallenberg, from the University of Otago said.

After speeches from Mrs Butler, Green MP Metiria Turei, Dr Shallenberg and Stop the Stadium vice-president Victor Billot, Mr Billot led the crowd to the Town Hall where he posted a message to councillors on the front door.

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement