Resignation calls in sports centre row

Some colleagues of Wellington city councillor Andy Foster are demanding his resignation after he blocked construction of a $46 million sports centre.

Independent commissioners gave approval last month for the council to build a 12-court centre, with parking for 325 cars, on Kilbirnie's Cobham Park.

Mr Foster has appealed to the Environment Court. He wants the centre to be built on port land or the Westpac Stadium concourse.

It could take up to 18 months to get a decision and could cost the council more than $100,000.

The council has already spent $3million on the project, which would be written off if the appeal were successful.

The council has said a 12-court centre on port land or the concourse would cost between $66 million and $100 million. Provisional estimates suggest an eight-court centre could be built at CentrePort for $46 million. But it would be too small for many sporting codes and would lack car parks.

Mr Foster said a 12-court concourse complex could be built for $46 million. "All I want is for councillors to look at it in an open way without any spin being put on it."

Mayor Kerry Prendergast stopped short of calling for Mr Foster's resignation but labelled his appeal as the "ultimate betrayal".

"He chose to submit at the resource consent hearing and he was given a clear message that it was not appropriate to debate this through the Resource Management Act process. Now he has lodged an appeal ... which is an abuse of the democratic process." Councillor John Morrison said: "It is a total betrayal and abuse of the councillors, the mayor, our officers and of the democratic process. He should resign immediately."

Last year Mr Foster called the decision to put the centre on Cobham Park the worst by the council in 15 years. It sparked a new council vote that saw Cobham Park reconfirmed as the site by 13 votes to 1. Mr Foster missed the meeting as it clashed with his 10th wedding anniversary.

The lone councillor against the stadium was Bryan Pepperell, who has also called for Mr Foster to be kicked off the council. "I would support the sacking of Andy Foster. He has breached his deal with the dirty little inner circle and now wants it both ways."

Mr Pepperell said the inner circle was a "special cabinet" of councillors headed by the mayor. "She will have to call a special meeting to get him removed. I will support that."

Mr Foster said an unfair spin had been put on his appeal. "The media at the moment is taking the line that Kerry [Prendergast] says it's right so it must be right. My plea to you ... is to focus on the issue and not whether I get beaten up or not."

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?:
Council chief operating officer Karen Wallace understands the Environment Court appeal will take place in about nine months' time "if we are lucky". After hearing and considering the evidence, it could take another nine months for the court to issue its decision. The council is taking legal advice to see what options it has to fast-track a hearing or speed up mediation.  

SHOULD HE STAY OR GO?
Andy Foster's council colleagues have their say.

RESIGN:
Bryan Pepperell: "He has breached his deal with the dirty little inner circle and now wants it both ways."
John Morrison: "If he cannot accept the collective responsibility of his council, he should resign immediately."
Jo Coughlan: "If he wants to avoid collective responsibility, then he should resign and pursue his case in the Environment Court as a member of the public."

STAY:
Stephanie Cook: "He clearly represents a section of the community that has a view about this."
Iona Pannett: "He is perfectly entitled to make an appeal."
Celia Wade-Brown: "If he is still convinced the [centre] is in the wrong place, he should have the courage of his convictions and test the issue."

UNCOMMITTED:
Deputy Mayor Ian McKinnon: "I am extraordinarily surprised he made this move in view of the fact that he has been party to deliberations that have gone on for a long time. He has got to review his position."
Hayley Wain: "Andy should review whether he remains on council. He needs to think about collective responsibility."
Ngaire Best: "He should have a good hard look at where he stands ... But the only reason he should be made to resign is if he has broken the law ... and he is within his legislative rights."
Leonie Gill: "I don't know whether he should resign. What I have got a problem with is the murky position of a councillor making a submission and being involved in the process."
Rob Goulden: No comment
Ray Ahipene-Mercer: Overseas.
Helene Ritchie: Did not return messages.