Mayoral taskforce to deal with Eden Park issues

A Mayoral taskforce is being set up to ensure there will be no repeat of the issues surrounding the weekend rugby league double header at Eden Park .

Auckland Mayor Len Brown has met with staff, Eden Park management, police, councillors, local board members and residents living in the surrounding area.

Len Brown says he is confident the events of the weekend will not be repeated during Rugby World Cup 2011 or at other events at the park and that the concerns of local residents are being heard.

To ensure this occurs the Mayor is setting up a taskforce involving the chief executives of Eden Park , Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and ATEED (Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development) as well as the senior police officer with responsibility for the Eden Park precinct. Local residents will also be represented.

“At the weekend, people were bringing in alcohol on trains and buses, illegally consuming and carrying it in the liquor free zone surrounding the park, and taking booze into the ground,” says Len Brown. “This must not happen again and in the events leading up to Rugby World Cup 2011 a repeat will not be tolerated.”

Councillor George Wood, chair of Auckland Council’s Community Safety Forum, has been working with council officers and he has briefed the Mayor as have senior police officers. Cr Wood will also be a member of the taskforce.

The Mayor has had a briefing from Eden Park management on steps being taken to improve the situation inside the ground.

Mayor Brown has also spent time visiting the streets surrounding the ground with councillors and local board members, listening to the views of residents.

The taskforce’s membership will announced shortly.

Ends

© Scoop Media