Councillors have heard from 63 speakers who presented on their submissions to the Tauranga City Council Draft Annual 2016/17 this week.

Speakers included residents and ratepayers, community and neighbourhood groups, sporting associations, business organisations, iwi groups, advocacy groups plus other organisations.

This week 63 speakers presented on their submissions to Tauranga City Council's draft Annual Plan 2016/17. Photo: File

Council received several requests for funding by local organisations including the Papamoa Community Surf Rescue Base Trust which wants to rebuild the rescue base at Papamoa Beach and Ngai Tamarāwaho for ecological preservation and planting initiatives.

Request were also made by The Elms for operational costs, Neighbourhood Support Tauranga to develop their activities, Combined Community Patrols of Tauranga for operating expenses.

Group communications advisor Emma Cottin says requests were also received from sports clubs and codes, including for floodlighting at Bay Oval to enable night-time cricket matches.

'Council also heard a case for Council to purchase Renner Park in Oropi, received a proposal to bring lights to Matapihi Bridge, and requests to bring forward infrastructure.

'Such as four-laning part of Te Okuroa Drive and 15th Avenue, building of a roundabout at Coast Boulevard/Papamoa Beach Rd, and development of a playground in Ballintoy Drive, amongst others.”

Mayor Stuart Crosby says on the whole the 63 speakers largely expressed support for the Annual Plan proposals and council was commended for the direction proposed for the city.

Speakers notably supported the council's proposals for addressing wastewater in Matapihi, extended library hours, the Civic Space Options project, funding for city events and visitor information services.

Stuart is thankful to see residents and groups take the time to present their views to council, and engage councillors on the issues that matter to them.

'We heard speakers' views on our proposals, and these were predominantly supportive, which is a great endorsement of the plan. The feedback we received over these three days also went beyond the Annual Plan proposals.

'A number of speakers presented to us on the strategic issues they felt council should take into account moving forward.

These included accessibility and inclusiveness, cultural enhancement of the city and continued engagement of iwi and hapu, environmental sustainability and responding to climate change, notably encouraging active modes of transport by providing safe cycleways and walkways, says Stuart.

Tauranga mayor Stuart Crosby. Photo: File