'Disregard for democracy' – speakers denied access to public forum

"I believe that they're trying to silence the opposition."

These are the words of Garth Mathieson, who has been denied the opportunity to speak in the public forum at a Tauranga City Council meeting on Monday.

Mathieson is one of 11 people who have had their request to speak turned down by commission chairperson Anne Tolley.

They all wanted to speak about the proposed $220 million stadium at the Tauranga Domain that the council will consider adding to the 2024-34 draft Long-Term Plan (LTP).

"It seems they [the commission] don't want to hear from us because they have no argument to counter the points that we make," Mathieson said.

"It's another example of the commissioners' disregard for democracy."

Mathieson is a member of the Tauranga Millennium Track Trust that fundraised and built the all-weather athletics track. If the stadium were to go ahead it would be demolished, the council has proposed relocating the track to Baypark in Mount Maunganui, but Mathieson said the location was "totally unsuitable".

The proposed "people's stadium" would provide 7000 permanent seats with the provision for an additional 8000 temporary seats.

It would also include a "light" exhibition centre; a 1300 sqm function centre, a community multi-use facility with 400 sqm of changing rooms and lounge space, and a sports science/physiotherapy space.

The stadium has long been opposed by the sports clubs that could be left homeless by its construction.

If built, the stadium was expected to displace the Tauranga Croquet Club, the Tauranga Bowling Club, and some of Tauranga Lawn Tennis Club's courts would need to be relocated.

Tauranga Croquet Club member Grahame Benvie and Tauranga Lawn Tennis Club president Philip Brown also had their request to speak declined.

Former councillor Murray Guy told Local Democracy Reporting he and other councillors established the public forum around 2011 to add value to the community, get their "buy-in on projects" and enable them to voice their concerns.

In his view, the public forum policy "does not give the chairperson the discretion to actually deny anyone speaking rights".

"I'm probably public enemy number one when it comes to the authorities because my focus is all about and has always been about integrity-based democracy," Guy said.

"I was hoping to be able to address the commissioners on a totally different perspective.

"I would rather see it enhanced as a green space with no significant sporting options up there at all."

Guy emailed the council and said he believed denying his request to speak was "non-compliant" with council policy.

The response from acting chief executive Christine Jones, sited by LDR, said the council's standing orders stated: "The chairperson has the discretion to decline to hear a speaker".

Tauranga City Council manager democracy and governance services Coral Hair said if decision is made to fund the stadium in year 6 or 2029/23 of the LTP it would be subject to community consultation.

"There have been 11 requests to speak about the proposed community stadium at Monday's meeting and these have been declined by the Commission Chair," Hair said.

"The reason for this is that if the decision is made to include the proposal in the LTP consultation later this year, everyone in the community will have an opportunity to express their views then, before any decisions about the proposal are made."

The meeting will also include decisions on the Memorial Park to Elizabeth Street waterfront recreation connection, Tauranga Climate Action and Investment Plan, and new options for council user fees and charges.

The Tauranga City Council meeting will be held at 9.30am on Monday 21 August. It is open to the public and will also be live streamed.

Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air