A new authority will be established to deal with urgent consents for Rugby World Cup events, for which the normal processes are too slow, Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully says.The Rugby World Cup 2011 (Empowering) Bill would establish a new authori
A new authority will be established to deal with urgent consents for Rugby World Cup events, for which the normal processes are too slow, Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully says.
The Rugby World Cup 2011 (Empowering) Bill would establish a new authority to deal the consents for events associated with the World Cup -- including liquor licensing.
The existing approval process was "not sufficient to cater for the extraordinary requirements that the tournament demands".
The bill would not alter existing criteria, it would only make the process faster, Mr McCully said.
He will appoint members of the new authority.
It will be funded by fees for its services and will be dissolved after the World Cup.
It will make temporary approvals for activities relating to the World Cup of "test events" such as the 2011 Bledisloe Cup match at Eden Park.
The authority would only consider applications which were unlikely to obtain approval in time under the normal process, he said.
It would also have urgent approval powers.
Mr McCully said there was a precedent with the America's Cup (Planning) Act 1989.
The Rugby World Cup was one of the largest sporting events in the world, Mr McCully said.
Up to 85,000 international visitors were likely to visit New Zealand over a six-week period. Many New Zealanders would also attend the games and events, he said.
"The hosting requirements for an event of this scale present significant challenges."
