May 23, 2012

Auckland Waterfront Theatre Project

Editor    posted 23 May 2012, 11:12 AM

This communication has been distributed as part of the ATC campaign to counteract opposition to the Waterfront Theatre project: 

As a supporter of Auckland Theatre Company, we urgently need your help.

The Company is alarmed to learn that eight Citizens and Ratepayers and Independent Auckland Councillors plan to move amendments to jeopardise Auckland Council’s stake in a new theatre on the waterfront at today’s (Wednesday 23 May) Strategy and Finance Committee meeting.

Auckland Theatre Company considers this action to be unfair and undemocratic. The Company has not been given a chance to report back on the very significant progress that has been made towards meeting the conditions set by council when it made its commitment, nor have Councillors been given the opportunity to review the business case.

Considerable progress has been made on the Waterfront Theatre project with detailed designs 90 per cent complete, a comprehensive and viable business plan (independently assessed by Price Waterhouse Cooper) and $21 million of the $35 million needed already secured. The Company receives donations daily from people who are enthusiastic about the theatre and the contribution it will make to the transformation of Auckland’s waterfront.

Once again the arts are being used as a political football for what we consider to be parochial grandstanding. It is disappointing Cameron Brewer and Christine Fletcher are leading the charge on this when so many of their constituents are supporters of the project and the arts generally.

If you back the waterfront theatre project please call, text, or email the Councillors listed below to let them know their actions are short sighted and unacceptable.

If these Councillors are successful in their underhand attempt to pull Council’s support for this project without first considering the facts, the millions of dollars that we have raised will simply be lost to Auckland.

We will be attending the Council meeting today at 10am and would urge your attendance to show support if at all possible.

Venue details for Strategy and Finance Committee Meeting

Auckland Town Hall Reception Lounge, Level 2 – Auckland Town Hall

301-305 Queen Street

Cameron Brewer

Ph: (021) 828-016

E: cameron.brewer@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Hon Christine Fletcher, QSO

Ph: (027) 276-0013

After hours: (09) 631-5948

E: chris.fletcher@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Des Morrison

Ph: (021) 2811222

After hours: (09) 238-7883

E: des.morrison@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Cr Dick Quax

Ph: (027) 490-2114

After hours: (09) 577-3340

E: dick.quax@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Noelene Raffills

Ph: (027) 474-4553 or (09) 301-0101

E: noelene.raffills@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Sharon Stewart

Ph: (021) 282-1144

After hours: (09) 577-4127

E: sharon.stewart@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

George Wood

Ph: (021) 281-5555

After hours: (09) 410-7134

E: george.wood@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Yours sincerely,

Lester McGrath

General Manager

Auckland Theatre Company

Lester@atc.co.nz

For media comment please contact:

Michael Adams, michael@atc.co.nz