Eden Park encourages public comment on six-concerts-a-year proposal

Following the acceptance and notification of Eden Park’s application proposal to stage up to six concerts a year, the Auckland stadium is now encouraging the public to comment on its six-concerts-a-year proposal.

Under Auckland Council’s Unitary Plan, the stadium can apply to stage up to six shows annually each as a discretionary activity. However, experience has shown that applying for individual resource consents for each show is a practicably unattainable proposition for both the stadium and music promoters.

In 2018, music legend Phil Collins was secured to headline a charity concert. Due to time constraints and the prospect of substantial Environment Court costs to consent an individual event, however, the application was withdrawn. This was the stadium's first attempt at applying to hold a single concert under the Unitary Plan and illustrates the obstacles of practically giving effect, in a timely or affordable manner, to the provisions on a case-by-case basis.

In 2019, Eden Park Chief Executive Nick Sautner advised that The Eden Park Trust were seeking consent “to do what is conditionally provided for – stage music and cultural shows at New Zealand’s national stadium” adding “the restrictions Eden Park is required to operate under are unique among stadiums across the country, making all but the most everyday sports events unaffordable to deliver.”

The Trust is proposing to invest significant amounts in a previously consented acoustic barrier and other measures to minimise potential impacts on neighbours, and Sautner says the Park is proposing to limit the sound to 75 dB in residential areas. By comparison, Western Springs and North Harbour stadiums have an 82 dB limit.

Eden Park is currently the only Auckland stadium facing concert restrictions with Western Springs, Mt Smart, North Harbour, Ellerslie Racecourse, ASB Showgrounds and Bruce Pullman Park all allowed to stage concerts with higher noise limits.

Sautner added “Eden Park is making every effort to meet all concerns about sound, traffic and general amenity, with management plans around vehicle and crowd movements.

“In terms of managing large crowds and traffic, our stadium is an industry leader, as evidenced by our record through Rugby World Cup finals and other large international competitions.

Eden Park continues to engage with the local community, including the Community Liaison Group, and further consultation will be undertaken in the coming weeks to understand all views on the proposal.

An information session will be held for neighbours and local businesses to gain an understanding of the application, the stadium’s direction and a chance to provide feedback directly. UMR Research shows that 87% of local residents support up to six concerts per year.

Sautner advises “feedback from our community continues to be positive however we want to remind neighbours that our door is always open. There will be further opportunities for these conversations in the coming weeks and we encourage everyone to have their say to ensure the stadium is utilised to the best of its ability.”

Insight Economics research shows that concerts will generate an additional $24.8 million each year in regional GDP from direct and flow-on effects and create 395 full-time-equivalent (FTEs) jobs and an additional 140 FTEs in subsequent employment.

The Eden Park Trust believes the stadium will deliver a superior event experience to music fans, with its transport connectivity, proximity to the city and facilities that cater to all demographics ensuring a special concert event for the music and cultural communities of New Zealand.

Submissions for comment are open until 5pm on 3rd April through Auckland Council’s website.