DVML penalised for lighting malfunction

Ratepayers will ultimately meet  the cost of a recent lighting failure  inside Forsyth Barr Stadium, it has finally been confirmed.

But  how much the malfunction has cost remains a secret,  as Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML), the council-owned company running the stadium on ratepayers’ behalf, continues to insist the  size of the bill is "commercially sensitive".

The company has, since September, refused to say whether it faces a financial penalty following the failure of a "lighting spectacular" before the All Blacks v Wallabies test on August 26.

Close to 30,000 fans were awaiting  the kick-off when lights in sections of the stadium switched off unexpectedly about 7pm, leading to a 10-minute delay to the start of the test.

DVML had declined to confirm reports it faced a financial penalty as a consequence, despite questions, an official information request and an appeal to the Office of the Ombudsmen by the Otago Daily Times.

Yesterday, in response to further ODT questions about when a full incident report would be released, DVML spokeswoman Kim Barnes would only say that was "still to be determined by all parties".

However, she  confirmed Dunedin Venues had been financially penalised as a result of the glitch.

"The result of the light show not being conducted was that DVML would meet the costs of the light show," she said.

The company could not reveal the size of the bill without "prejudice or disadvantage" to its commercial position, she maintained.

"DVML is also bound by contractual confidentiality of the venue hire agreement," she said.

chris.morris@odt.co.nz