IMAGINE A VOLCADIUM A proposal to integrate an international sports and cultural stadium inside a man-made volcanic island, situated alongside the Waitemata Harbour and in the heart of downtown Auckland City, will be announced by the Government today. The plan to incorporate Stadium New Zealand inside a 'volcanic cone' straddling the edge of the waterfront and extending out into Auckland Harbour, is the most dramatic element of an ambitious long term initiative that will not be fully completed until 2020. The Government is expected to confirm the $500 million "volcadium" project at the same time it reveals a two billion dollar integrated transportation plan to provide long-term access to the Auckland CBD and the unique Stadium New Zealand creation. By 2010 work will begin on drilling a light rail tunnel beneath the Auckland Harbour to link the northern end of the Auckland Harbour Bridge to the Britomart transport hub. Material removed from the seabed during the excavation will be used to complete the volcanic island surrounding Stadium New Zealand. The two-way, light-rail link will follow the route of the Northern Motorway, sharing the newly-developed bus lanes and utilising an overhead rail track similar to Sydney's monorail. The light rail system will initially extend as far north as Albany and will eventually stretch to the new satellite communities beyond Orewa. A second tunnel beneath Auckland Harbour is planned beyond 2015 to provide an underground tube connection from the East Coast Bays into Auckland City. This all-new "Coastal Line" will have tube stations at Milford, Takapuna, Belmont and Devonport, en route to Britomart and Stadium New Zealand. Existing southern commuter train services are to be upgraded and a long term proposal for underground 'tube' services into the CBD from Howick and St Helliers is being refined. It is intended to complete this eastern underground connection by 2025. A combination of central and local Government funding, as well as private sector investment, will enable the various projects to be combined into one major investment in Auckland's infrastructure. Road tolls on new motorways within the greater Auckland region and a spectator levy at Stadium New Zealand will contribute limited funding, leaving central Government to underwrite this major investment in the future of New Zealand's largest city. The final cost of the project is now being calculated. It is intended to fast track Stage One of the Stadium New Zealand proposal to meet New Zealand's obligations to provide a world class venue for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. However, the international rugby event is only one element of the Master Transportation Plan that will take up to 15 years to complete. Today's announcement on sports stadiums will confirm: - An immediate start to construction of Stage One of Stadium New Zealand on the Auckland waterfront in the area surrounding Queen's Wharf. The playing field and 60,000 capacity grandstands contained inside the 'crater' will be completed by 2011 as the focal point of the Rugby World Cup. - Eden Park Stadium will be closed. The area will be re-developed for housing and will incorporate a suburban sports playing field and community park. - Funds from the sale of Eden Park will contribute to both Stadium New Zealand and the completion of North Harbour Stadium, including the erection of a 'mirror-image' grandstand on the northern side. This will be completed by 2011 and the complex will be renamed Eden Park North Harbour. - Auckland City has committed to a development proposal that will see the creation of a public park on the northern end of the 'Tank Farm' land. This landscaped area overlooking the Waitemata Harbour will be developed as an open air concert venue surrounded by trees and raised grass banking. International interest in the Government announcement today will inevitably focus on the immediate development of Stadium New Zealand, particularly because of its spectacular geographically-inspired design. The natural features of the stadium will be devoid of any commercialism. Although the "Volcadium Project" has been the working title for the stadium proposal until now, this interim name will soon be replaced. The Government wants international recognition of New Zealand's valuable 'clean and green' image and intends to use the opportunity to acknowledge two of New Zealand's highest achievers in outdoor sporting pursuits. The pure visual impact of a volcanic mountain emerging from the seabed is to be protected with non-commercial naming rights. Stadium New Zealand will be officially named Mt Hillary Stadium in honour of Mt Everest conqueror Sir Edmond Hillary. A proposed ferry docking terminal on the seaward side of Hillary Stadium will be name Blake Harbour in recognition of Sir Peter Blake's achievements; not only his victories at sea but also in his vision that lead to the creation of Auckland's Viaduct Harbour. The docking facilities will be constructed in a colonial style with heritage architecture and traditional wooden wharves, reminiscent of Auckland's earliest waterfront days. The only modern feature will be an adjoining display area at the water's edge enclosing the 1995 America's Cup winning yacht NZL32. A maritime heritage trail, just above the high tide line at the water's edge, will link back to Quay Street and westwards to the New Zealand Maritime Museum. Blake Harbour will be used as a terminal for ferries delivering spectators to the Mt Hillary Stadium with tunnels enclosed inside the walls of the 'volcano' and leading to lifts and moving walkways into the raised stadium. Overseas cruise ships will continue to be berthed at nearby city wharves but during the Rugby World Cup up to ten ships will be allowed anchorage in the inner Harbour. These vessels will be serviced with shuttle ferries operating from Blake Harbour. Once constructed, Blake Harbour will be available for berthing the largest and most important ships visiting New Zealand. The facility will become the maritime gateway for large cruise ships and a focal point for any major yachting regatta. Delaying final completion of the earthworks surrounding the stadium until after the 2011 Rugby World Cup relieves the pressure on all parties to rush through a compromise solution. According to the Government and the NZRFU the visual impact of the basic playing field and grandstands being completed as Stage One of the project will satisfy hosting requirements in 2011. The Government will exploit the rugby opportunity to show a world-wide TV audience that something even larger and more spectacular than a one-off event venue is being created. This promise for the future and the integration of the stadium into an overall plan for Auckland has been an important consideration for all political parties and the various local authorities. When finally completed, with all the structural engineering hidden within the walls of the Volcadium, the venue will undoubtedly attract worldwide recognition as an extraordinary achievement. It will be the world's first stadium venue that does not require modern architecture to achieve a stunning impact. Some details of the stadium design are still to be finalised, including an option to incorporate hydraulically operated roof panels within the walls of the man-made volcano. During open-air events these would be extended far enough to form a roof covering for the grandstands surrounding the playing field. When fully extended these see-through 'green tinted sun roof panels' would join together high above the midfield, to provide an option for an all-weather covered stadium. The simple earthwork walls of the 'volcadium' will be considerably less expensive to build than conventional designs that rely on concrete, metal and glass to achieve their visual effect. The outward appearance of Auckland's striking new landmark will be similar to the extinct volcanoes on the surrounding skyline. The scale of the structure will be in keeping with the local environment and a close comparison will be the height of the Auckland Harbour Bridge and North Head. It is intended that Mt Hillary will be the highest Volcanic cone in the region. Environmental concerns have been addressed with yet more innovation from the project planners. Only natural products will be used to create the bush covered sloping hillsides surrounding the stadium and this has given Government confidence to fast track Resource Management approvals. The use of materials sourced mainly from the seabed in the immediate vicinity will enable the man-made volcanic island to be extended well beyond the existing wharf structure. The volcanic rock base is being considered as an extension of the natural environment and therefore has won support from environmental groups. The artificial island will also serve as an effective noise and visual buffer between commercial and retail waterfront areas; and the busy Ports of Auckland container facilities to the east. The tiered grandstands completely circling the playing field will not be visible from the exterior and gently rolling grassed areas will soften the rim of the landmark as well as providing public look-out areas. Grassed terraces cut into the northern slopes will provide a spectator viewing position for yachting and other marine entertainment. On the city side, the existing Queen's Wharf structure is to be used as a wide Boulevard entrance to the stadium from Quay Street. This conventional entrance will lead into a four-storey administration and foyer complex recessed into the earth walls. The playing field will be laid on top of four levels of carparking, enabling the designers to achieve the desired crater effect. Internal stairs, lifts and moving walkways will give access to spectator seating. By random profiling of the volcadium's exterior so it does not appear perfectly conical, the designers intend to achieve a completely natural impression. The stadium design will blend harmoniously into the waterfront view and serve as a practical link between existing developments and the inner Auckland Harbour. The slopes surrounding the stadium are to be fenced and the area will gradually be developed as a Nature Reserve. The Department of Conservation will manage the new parkland and, when the landscaped environment is well established, Mt Hillary will become a high-profile central city showcase for New Zealand's outdoors. Native trees and shrubs will be planted and double predator gates at all access points will enable native birds and animals to be introduced and protected in a safe environment. The potential for World Wildlife recognition will eventually be pursued for the small but high profile sanctuary. The short term benefit will be seen in successfully meeting New Zealand's hosting responsibilities at a one-off sporting occasion; a more significant long term return will be the Government-backed commitment to a home-grown marketing campaign underlining the strength of brand New Zealand. The most important outcome for citizens and Auckland ratepayers is a solution to many of the countries worst transportation problems for the foreseeable future.