Shearer David: Rugby World Cup 2011 (Empowering) Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
Shearer David: Rugby World Cup 2011 (Empowering) Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Volume:668;Page:14891] 
DAVID SHEARER (Labour—Mt Albert) 
: 
 I will start by once again stating what Part 3 is all about. I take into account what the previous speaker said which is that this bill is about enabling the greatest sporting event that New Zealand has ever put on to take place. I do not think this bill is doing that. That was done a few years ago when the Government of the day had the vision to go out and grab this opportunity. This legislation simply makes sure that the event can run smoothly once the vision has been seen and accomplished. 
Part 3 sets out the scope of the applications that may be made and how they are to be lodged. It is quite technical in nature. In many ways it sets out the process. As my colleague said it is a more truncated or if you like shortened abbreviated or reduced process than we would otherwise have. 
Phil Twyford 
: Shrunken. 
DAVID SHEARER 
: Shrunken minimalised truncated—it could be seen in a whole lot of different ways. In fact that member himself could be seen as somewhat truncated shortened or made smaller as a result of his recent operation. I have to say he looks much better for it. However this legislation truncated as it stands allows the process to enable this Rugby World Cup to go ahead in a smooth and easy way. Part 3 sets out the scope of the applications that can be made how they are to be made and how they are to be lodged. The applications may seek approvals. They can seek declarations and a change in conditions of an approval or of existing approvals granted under other enactments. The key point is that we are following a process if we have to do this. As David Clendon said yesterday we are quite good at putting on events like this. It seems that particularly in the transport area which was mentioned specifically in Part 3 we have done a very very good job in preparing ourselves. I do not think this legislation will be needed; nevertheless Part 3 goes into a great deal of detail. If we do need to use it at least it enables the process to be carried out with the fewest possible problems. 
There is provision in Part 3 for applications relating to events that are to test whether a proposed activity—for example traffic management—is likely to be adequate for the purpose in relation to the Rugby World Cup 2011. This has happened in my electorate which encompasses the Eden Park venue. An enormous amount of planning has been going on in and around that area particularly in the transport management area but also relating to the Kingsland railway station which has been modified dramatically in order to take people to and from the venue. 
I will touch on one point. We are now seeing for the first time people starting to take trains to go to these venues both in and out of the city and from the west and the south rather than using their cars. It is part of a general move that we are witnessing right across the Auckland region. The transport Minister may want to take note of that when he looks at the future of New Zealand rail. 
Part 3 will enable the smooth running of activities in the period during which the Rugby World Cup will be held. I want to look at clause 31 “Determination of applications for declarations”. It states: “(1) In determining an application under section 16(2) or (5) or 17 for a declaration a test declaration or a change to the conditions of a declaration or a test declaration the Authority must have regard to any adverse effects on the environment that would be would be likely to be if the application were granted more than minor as determined in accordance with section 31A.” This section is extremely important and again I use the example of the Eden Park venue. Two historic houses were removed in order to enable transport to flow more freely. To be perfectly honest I think that was unnecessary. We are changing our environment—I am talking about the urban environment here—dramatically in order to cater for the Rugby World Cup and I am pleased that some safeguards will be encompassed in this bill that will enable these environmental impacts which would be classified as major as they are certainly not minor to be heard and to be used in an adequate way. 
Clause 31(1A) states: “The Authority must not grant the application if the activity facility or class of activity or facility that is the subject of the application is prohibited by another Act.” Once again I think that provides the safeguards. It goes back to Part 2 which we have just discussed which covers the make-up of the authority that will be hearing the applications under this part of the Act. I believe that the authority is being set up in a way that it will have the utmost respect for the process and a senior judge of 7 years’ standing has been appointed chair of the authority. 
Sitting suspended from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.