Plans for the future of Western Springs are in disarray

Plans to transform Western Springs into a privately funded football venue have been scrapped, leaving the site in limbo.

The so-called “Auckland Arena” proposal for football has been axed just weeks before Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) was due to make a recommendation to Auckland Council.

TAU chief executive Nick Hill said: “We were disappointed to hear of the withdrawal of the Auckland Arena proposal. They thought it was the best solution for the site.

“Western Springs Stadium is a historic and valued asset with huge potential,” Hill added.

“We are committed to making a recommendation that will deliver positive outcomes and provide certainty for Aucklanders.”

The withdrawal has cast doubt on the venue’s future. It has been at the centre of a long-running debate since speedway was ordered to move to Waikaraka Park.

The possibility of speedway returning to Western Springs is thought to be slim.

A legal battle continues to play out in the High Court between Auckland Council and the Western Springs Speedway Association. The “Save Our Speedway” movement wants things to continue as they were. 

Meantime, the council received 14,894 submissions from the public on the future of the site, with a wide spread of opinion. TAU labelled the results as inconclusive but Auckland Councillor John Watson felt the results tell a different story.

He said: “An overwhelming 49 per cent of individual submitters support option 3, keeping things as they are and/or exploring other options. The largest overall percentage for any option came from the one that included the return of speedway to the stadium.”

Watson believes TAU and Mayor Wayne Brown had misread public sentiment and failed to act transparently throughout the process.

“Both have shown themselves to be hopelessly out of touch with the Auckland public… and in particular the huge support for speedway at Western Springs.”

Of the total submissions, one-third of individuals supported exploring alternative options (including reinstating speedway), 30 per cent backed the Western Springs Bowl amphitheatre concept, and 21 per cent preferred the Auckland Arena. Sixteen per cent voted for the status quo.

“Quite simply, they don’t have a public mandate to do what they wanted,” Watson added.

“The best thing they could do is get right out of it and leave it up to Ponsonby Rugby, the concert promoters… and Speedway to sort out a future that makes the most of this iconic venue.

Despite the collapse of the football proposal, there is no guarantee that Western Springs Speedway will return to the site. TAU’s updated recommendation, due after local body elections later in the year, will determine the next steps. But currently the path ahead remains unclear.

There is plenty of heat on social media about the future of speedway in Auckland. Waikaraka Park, the proposed venue, is currently undergoing upgrades. 

Ensuring a sustainable home for speedway in Auckland is key, whether that’s at Waikaraka Park or back at Western Springs.

Meantime, TAU will spend the next few months reassessing the remaining options. Their advice will be delivered to the newly elected council early in the next term.

A decision is not likely until 2026.