Council's decision to ‘have another look' at the Memorial Park to The Strand Walkway, at a cost of $30,000 to ratepayers, received a boost during the Long Term Plan deliberations after the project was included in the city centre and waterfront development parcel.
The Memorial Park/Strand walkway project was dropped in 2007 after council spent $1 million investigating the concept, which was estimated to cost $12 million.
An original, 2007 artist's impression of the proposed waterfront walkway between Memorial Park and The Strand. Photos: Supplied.
The original project plan was for the walkway to follow the route of the Southern Pipeline, which was intended to follow the shoreline to the railway bridge.
However, the government is now offering subsidies for cycleways that were not available when the Southern Pipeline was being considered.
'I think we shouldn't lose sight of the opportunities down there on the waterfront,” says Councillor Steve Morris.
The government has $100 million set aside for cycleways, which is potentially a third of the funding that wasn't available in 2007, adds Steve.
In addition, the council potentially has access to NZTA funding for cycleways as well, which would cover another third of the cost. This option also wasn't available during the Southern Pipeline discussion.
'Taking out the Southern Pipeline reduces the costs considerably,” explains Steve, 'so we have an opportunity here and we must at least consider it.”
Mayor Stuart Crosby was against bringing the walkway project into the CBD/waterfront ‘bridge-to-bridge' budget, saying it's an ad-hoc approach and that council should stick to the CBD/waterfront resourcing it consulted the public on.
While he supports the concept, he warns it is 'riddled with issues” and it isn't going to happen in two or three years.
'It is absolutely a complex piece of work that someone is going to have to do,” says Stuart.
'There are boat sheds there that people have (riparian) rights to. As we know from previous reports, it is marine mud.
'It's not going to happen in a hurry, but it should be treated as a separate project and not muddled and confused with what we have determined to be the bridge-to-bridge from the waterfront perspective
'I do support the memorial park project moving forward, but it should not be confused with this capital resource.”
The vote to include the memorial park walkway in the CBD budget was supported seven votes to four.
The $8m in the first five years of the Long Term Plan 2015-2025 for city centre and waterfront development is to be spent in accordance with the prioritisation criteria in the February 2015 LTP resolutions.
The Memorial Park to The Strand walkway will be included in any considerations.
36 comments
Nice idea but not possible
Posted on 10-06-2015 11:44 | By Annalist
Public access to our waterfront and beaches is one of the wonderful things about this country compared to overseas places where people and companies have virtually blocked such access. But I think we need to get used to the idea that the horse has bolted on this stretch and that private people seem to own the land down to the water's edge on the CBD to Memorial Park strip. We should be thankful to those who had the foresight to open up the foreshore from Kulim to Ferguson parks, what a fantastic walk. But sadly I think it's not possible here.
Here's an idea...
Posted on 10-06-2015 12:52 | By morepork
Instead of spending 12 million on a very attractive walkway, why don't we freeze ALL non-essential projects and pay down the debt we have? Then, when we have the debt under control and can AFFORD to do things like this, we could re-visit it.
The crazies are on a roll?
Posted on 10-06-2015 13:26 | By YOGI BEAR
Got a few about face turn arounds at TCC already so now want to get all back on the table and get the lot. here we go again, what has changed from last time, before the election.
massive debt
Posted on 10-06-2015 14:21 | By Captain Sensible
Most normal sensible people in huge debt, tighten their belts and cut down on unnecessary spending. Then......we have TCC.......
non-essential projects
Posted on 10-06-2015 16:13 | By YOGI BEAR
Morepork, you don't understand, an essential project is one where the Councillors don't get any flak from anyone at all, they are very sensitive folk, they are very much affected by anyone anytime criticing. This manifests itself especially well when someone has a hand out for money, and splashes an unhealthy amount of phrase then all the hands shot for the sky approving what ever is asked for, despite common sense, despite no money to pay, despite borrowing to high already and more coming for the future of all any everyone.
Yes yes yes
Posted on 10-06-2015 16:19 | By earlybird
Lets just do it.
Ummm, Steve, get it right!
Posted on 10-06-2015 18:16 | By Murray.Guy
The $12 million cost did NOT include the pipeline which is why the $1 million spent on investigations, design and consent had to be paid out of rates rather than as a part of the pipeline costs and loan funded and shared with DIFs. It's also important to know that this walkway does NOT terminate at the Strand Waterfront. That requires another two million dollars. Council holds all the info needed and why allocate another $30,000 to investigate beggars belief! There is NO guarantee of ANY funding other than rates.
Magic Mushroom Moments
Posted on 10-06-2015 20:49 | By ROCCO
This piece of fiscal obscenity was part of the Museum on the Water stuffwittery that cost half the Councillors at the time their jobs.It is very complex and the cost at the time in 2007 was calculated @$12million or around $15000 per metre.So now its only supposed to cost ratepayers $30000 in total which is arrant bull****. Whippee Doo I don't know what sort of medication EMs are on but change it quick -and Steve stick to Papamoa mate you seem to know SFA about Tauranga and its past idiot brigade.
$12 Million?
Posted on 10-06-2015 21:05 | By YOGI BEAR
This is nuts, that was in 2007, you double it now and then add the Concrete Waterfront/beach in the CBD, that is another $20m for a slab a concrete. The lunacy is becoming a bit of an epidemic at TCC by the looks of it. Perhaps it would be better to get them all back in the box they are meant to be all locked up in on Willow Street.
There you Go!
Posted on 10-06-2015 21:40 | By How about this view!
Stupid, stupid people! We get Councillors in place that enjoy spending other peoples money on ridiculous projects where they can get their name in lights, but not a thought is given to the long term cost. Build a non-sense cycle-way for $500,000 (But will it incur extra costs to build? You can guarantee it!) what is the ADDITIONAL ANNUAL MAINTENANCE costs on this in perpetuity? Now, we have already spent $1,000,000 on a walkway "concept plan" but if we call it another cycle-way, magically the cost will fall from $12,000,000 to $30,000??? Let's not forget those maintenance costs though and additionally we must consider all of the unused walkways around town that are falling into disrepair at an alarming rate. We will need to plant more Pinus Radiata, so that we can keep up with the repairs to the boardwalks and cycle-ways. Empire building for the council Parks department.
Spend up large
Posted on 11-06-2015 07:39 | By I love God
i think this is a great idea and we really need this in Tauranga
Isn't this maori land?
Posted on 11-06-2015 07:43 | By jed
Won't be able to build it .
jed
Posted on 12-06-2015 01:02 | By YOGI BEAR
It is the queens chain mate, no Maori in sight on this one. Just a mob of crazies looking to spend another million or so to find out that the obvious has happened. The bill was $12m and now $30m, no Government of RBOP will pick up a tab of some 1/3rd each on that one.
@Yogi Bear
Posted on 12-06-2015 15:21 | By morepork
You have a valid point as to what defines "a non-essential project" (and your response made me smile...thanks)
We seem to agree...
Posted on 12-06-2015 15:32 | By morepork
... that TCC should NOT be spending money on something which has to be perceived as a "luxury", when the City is SO far in debt. The SunLive poll about it shows over 80% in favour, but that's a bit misleading because of the way it is phrased. I voted "yes"... to the question "Would you like a walkway... etc", because it is a lovely thing to have, BUT NOT WHEN WE CAN'T AFFORD IT! Suppose the question had been: "Would you like a walkway... OR would you rather see current debt reduced, and a walkway later?" That's a far better question...
No such thing,
Posted on 12-06-2015 15:36 | By robin bell
as the queens chain YOGI BARE. It doesn't exist in law. I see your in that little old minority again 84% for, you and your mates against,par for the course AGAIN. Robin Bell.
morepork,
Posted on 12-06-2015 17:01 | By robin bell
makes a valid point,why referendum and polls can be misleading. However clearly to date 84% are not too concerned about debt.Robin Bell.
morepork
Posted on 12-06-2015 17:47 | By YOGI BEAR
A smile makes it all worthwhile indeed
Queens Chain
Posted on 12-06-2015 18:36 | By YOGI BEAR
You know all about it Robin, it is in the "Queens law" you know the bit that all the Maori chiefs signed and ceded sovereignty. So guess you do know about it but chose to ignore.
Wonderful drazings above ...
Posted on 12-06-2015 21:57 | By YOGI BEAR
Looks like a million dollars to me, hmmm well yes it was and that is all there is to show for the million to.
Government $100m?
Posted on 14-06-2015 11:21 | By YOGI BEAR
So Tauranga plans to spend heaps on this right, perhaps $20m? They clearly hope/dream/expect to get $7m from Government and $6-7m from RBOP. Tauranga share maybe at best on population is say $2m, this plan is a failure already ...
Bridge to bridge project?
Posted on 14-06-2015 17:00 | By YOGI BEAR
$30,000 for this is a joke, you could not even get Council out of bed to spend that little on a good day, they like lots more zeros on "everything" they do. The only 'possible' way $30,000 would do it would be if it was from the railway bridge to the walkway to Matapihi. Even then TCC budgeteers would be hard pressed to even get that off the ground and through even one consultant. NB Remember that there is already tar seal there so only need a 'dead-end' sign so as cyclists pull up soon enough. Still cant see how just for that $30,000 is enough on the TCC spend ups that they have.
TCC budgeting
Posted on 14-06-2015 23:09 | By YOGI BEAR
Simple pretend that the dollars you want to spend are in fact 'cents', (do not mistake these ones for 'sense', that is completely and utterly different). So now what is happening is that $3,000,000.00 has become $30,000 when in fact it is meant to be $30,000,000, the little discrepancy of the extra zero is simply caused by way to many officials meddling in the budgets all trying to hard to trim bits off here and there and in end result the cost is so far4 fetched that Councilors just cant believe it so approve because it is so little. Of course then they all race off and get it done, by the time reality has caught up with them the actual bill will be well over $30m. Then the tried and trusted "it wasn't me" ploy will be rolled out ... watch this space folks.
A million spent already?
Posted on 15-06-2015 01:14 | By YOGI BEAR
What possible could that have been spent on already then?
Cost now $30,000
Posted on 15-06-2015 01:15 | By YOGI BEAR
So before a million was spent so where are the 33 cycle ways that would have been provided for that much?
A little education for
Posted on 15-06-2015 10:15 | By robin bell
YOGI BEAR.There is no such thing as the "Queens Chain". Public access to rivers and lakes only applies to areas once owned by the crown,private land never owned by the crown or Maori land access is exempt.Queen Victoria never required a "Queens chain" be established,BUT she did require the setting aside of recreational areas to be used by each and every citizen. In this case the land in question is administered by D.O.C. for ecological reasons.Hence the warning from the Mayor. Robin Bell.
Public access to beaches
Posted on 19-06-2015 10:29 | By YOGI BEAR
There has always been access as of right, although there are some places in NZ where gang like groups will extort money from unsuspecting persons wandering onto the beach. The game is changing Robin, what you pretend is claptrap, please discard it in the proper way.
Correcting Robin Bell
Posted on 23-06-2015 14:08 | By YOGI BEAR
Who sees to be 'lost in space' or is it lala land, I could not be sure as have not been there. Anyway, I would be more than happy to donate to Robin the new concrete beach at the Strand and forgo the "Queens Chain" that exists there. The only condition to that is:- the bills go with it without the option of a WFT claim or a freebee handout from TCC ratepayers or TECT. You then have the right to have a 99 year lease for $1. Do you agree Robin?
Yogi bear
Posted on 23-06-2015 15:31 | By robin bell
your confusion is complete,your delusion is dominant, I suggest you google the subject and educate yourself, although knowing your record, I think you are happier in your ignorance. Robin Bell.
Robin Bell
Posted on 23-06-2015 15:36 | By YOGI BEAR
Where is the evidence Robin, you are running at 15-0 to date, the only evidence you present is the complete lack of it on your part.
Robin
Posted on 24-06-2015 10:12 | By YOGI BEAR
So many words, so many the same same ... but regrettably there is nothing new and nothing real.
Talk, Money, but no
Posted on 02-07-2015 15:21 | By Mackka
So the council is going to spend a further $30,000 to 'have another look at' the Memorial Park to Strand Walkway. This, on top of the hundreds of thousands of dollars already spent on 'looking at' this proposal. Stop looking and DO it for goodness sake! It could have been done and up and 'walking' for all the money they are spending on 'looking at it'.
Stop this madness now
Posted on 03-07-2015 10:23 | By ROCCO
I see TCC have had further monetary hallucinations on this walkway illustrating what a demented lot of wallies they are.History always repeats and going through the same process again will simply give the same result with a waste of yet more money.LOL
Posted on 06-07-2015 13:15 | By YOGI BEAR
That is indeed a concern, many have seen this mess floating down the Southern Pipeline and see it for what it is. The problem is that as yet it wil not rech its proper destination.
Mackka
Posted on 06-07-2015 13:55 | By YOGI BEAR
"Looking" means pay heaps of consultants heaps of money to repeat what happened before and perhaps review it. Whatever happens it will be a mega cost yet again to TCC ratepayers and noting to show for it. Got to keep the consultants happy and well paid, little like Cheshire cats really, fat plump and ever demanding of more and more.
Back in focus?
Posted on 06-07-2015 17:40 | By YOGI BEAR
Actually the opposite is the case, the complete lack of focus on what the majority of those standing said that they stood for until they got voted in. After that clean slate, reprogrammed by TCC and yippy off we go a spending ... did they forget that the debt is huge?
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