Wellington City Council strips funding for planned indoor arena in new budget

Facing rising costs for a range of municipal projects including works at Civic Square and repairs to the city’s Central Library, City of Wellington Councillors have voted to strip next year's budget of funding for the planned indoor arena.

With the new harbourside venue at least five and 10 years away from being built, Councillors have voted to defer costs associated with the project while it deals with rising and unexpected costs for the city’s infrastructure.

Earlier this year the Council had to cope with costs of the refurbishment of the Wellington Town Hall, initially budgeted at $46 million in 2013, rising to hit $90 million.  

It has also allocated $3.5 million for the addition of two endangered snow leopards for Wellington Zoo.

As reported by local media, at earlier public consultations on the annual plan councillors heard from members of the city's business community upset the council had broken with years of policy and moved rates away from " homeowners and onto city businesses struggling with rising insurance and earthquake strengthening costs.

Councillors had voted to change the ratings differential - which decides how rates increases are split between commercial and residential ratepayers - after it emerged homeowners would otherwise face a large rates rise.

Images: The planned new Wellington Arena (top) and artist's impression of the soon-to-reopen Wellington Town Hall (below).