Cobham Park review denied

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A bid by a Wellington city councillor to have a decision to build a $49.5 million indoor sports centre reviewed by the auditor-general has failed.

Rob Goulden had asked the auditor-general's office to review the council's decision-making process around the Cobham Park proposal.

His request came after an independent review, headed by Sir John Anderson, upheld the council's decision to build the 12-court centre in Kilbirnie.

Assistant auditor-general for local government Bruce Robertson dismissed all issues raised in Mr Goulden's application. "We do not consider that the concerns you have raised with us are suitable matters for any further inquiry by the auditor-general."

But Mr Goulden would not back down: "The auditor-general has refused to do an inquiry ... that doesn't mean there isn't anything wrong with it."

He would not exercise his right to test the adequacy of legal advice given to the council by taking a judicial review in the High Court. "But I am considering other options ... including a meeting with the minister of local government."

His concerns include the traffic impact on the eastern suburbs, the impact of council debt on ratepayers and the adequacy of the consultation process.

Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast said she was confident of the outcome.

"The ... proposal has been consulted on, reviewed and reviewed again. I don't think any plan has ever been subject to such scrutiny. And every time the decision has been to back the proposal."

The Anderson inquiry was set up as part of a deal between Ms Prendergast and councillor Andy Foster, who in return withdrew his appeal to the Environment Court against the centre.

About a week ago another objector, eastern suburbs resident Mike Mellor, also withdrew his appeal after talks with council officers.

- © Fairfax NZ News