Potential for fixed-price contract to be revealed

A detailed analysis of public submissions on the future of Te Kaha – the proposed Christchurch stadium – and progress on reaching a fixed-price contract for its build will be made public today. City councillors will decide on Thursday whether to go ahead with the 30,000-seat multi-purpose covered arena, now forecast to cost $683 million after a $150m cost blowout. Ahead of this decision, detailed reports on the project will be made public on the council’s website today. These include a deeper analysis of the 30,500 submissions on the project. An overview found three-quarters (77%) supported the project despite the cost escalation, while 15% called for a halt. Another 8% of submitters wanted the project paused and re-evaluated. Also expected to be released today is information on the potential for a fixed-price contract with the project’s lead contractor, BESIX Watpac, and forecasts on the stadium’s economic effects and life cycle costs from Venues Ōtautahi, the council-owned organisation that will run it. But one councillor says elected members have not yet received the information, putting pressure on their ability to make a decision. ‘‘I know staff are working hard on putting information together, but I don’t see how councillors can make a fully informed decision on Thursday morning when we don’t have the info on Monday evening and don’t have the submissions to read yet,’’ said Sara Templeton on Twitter last night. ‘‘I’d cleared most of my weekend for it. I know I can’t read all 30 000 submissions, but I want to look some up and read enough to get a good sense of the rest. ‘‘... Governance takes time and effort – not just reading a summary and looking at percentages. It’s a huge decision and submitters deserve better.’’ The council meeting to discuss and vote will begin at 10am on Thursday and will be live-streamed.