Replying to Graham Clark's views on 'Party Central for the Rugby World Cup in Tauranga”, he misses the point. There is a difference between costs and investments.
Under the 2002 Local Government Act all Councils in NZ are tasked with fostering the social, economic, cultural and environmental wellbeing of their citizens. If Graham has a problem with that policy he should target Central Government, not the TCC.
It makes perfect economic sense for TCC (on behalf of its citizens) to take part in a joint BoP bid to host games and teams for Rugby World Cup 2011. (RWC 2011). This is the third largest sporting event in the world and will bring substantial financial benefits to Tauranga and the BoP. As an example, the recent World Rowing Championships at Lake Karapiro generated >$1.5 million for their region, and the RWC 2011 will generate far more than that for businesses in Tauranga.
From what I understand the TCC budget is modest, many of the benefits will be 'in kind” such as training facilities at the Domain and Bay Park etc.
It is part of TCC's community responsibility to be the catalyst for public sporting and cultural events such as RWC 2011. The potential for ongoing benefits to the city through things like visitor accommodation nights, tourism activities, volunteering, business leveraging - and just the chance to spotlight the Bay of Plenty to a world audience - is enormous and the modest inputs from council are clearly an investment which will bring significant returns to our citizens. The Council has provided a platform - it's now up to the people of the Bay to seize the opportunities and really get in behind this event.
Max Lewis, Tauranga.


1 comment
Force versus choice
Posted on 23-11-2010 13:02 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
I disagree with Max Lewis concerning council being involved in the Rugby World Cup. Max says 'there is a difference between costs and investments!” (which is true) but I say 'there is a difference between freedom of choice and compulsion!” It may make perfect economic sense to capitalise on the third largest sporting event in the world, but what makes Max think council can do it better than private enterprise? Have we been made so reliant on council that we are unable to do things for ourselves and must be forced to fund a rugby event because it's for our own good? Where is the evidence - financially and morally (ie force over choice) - that council can do anything more efficiently or financially successful than the private sector. Council involvement should be limited to ensuring investors and entrepreneurs are not hindered in their endeavours to make the event a success, and ensuring facilities they are in charge of are available. It shouldn't be part of their community responsibility, especially when they struggle to provide key essential services, and in times of recession. We used to be a nation of individual thinkers but have become a nation of Sheeple - brainwashed by those on the gravy train payroll to believe we can't function without their assistance! My grandfather fought in 2 world wars to save us from those who would impose compulsion upon us - isn't it tragic how people are so quick to forget. Council, government and bureaucratic busybodies should be actively discouraged from interfering in all entertainment endeavours, and let those whose passion, livelihoods, and expertise are at stake provide them better than they ever could, saving ratepayers from expensive council blunders, whilst leaving opportunities for entrepreneurs and professionals to do the things they do best free of compusion and ratepayer responsibility. I would encourage everybody VOLUNTARILLY to get behind the Rugby World Cup. MAX wants people to be FORCED to get behind it - and therein lies the difference.
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