Tauranga City Council has agreed on the next steps in creating a Civic Heart in the CBD.

The go-ahead has been given for the Civic Space Options Project team to complete a Programme Business Case for three master plan options.

Councillor Gail McIntosh in one of the old council buildings. Photo: Supplied

Councillor Gail McIntosh says this move confirms the extensive work that has been completed by staff and experts to date.

'We are looking forward to hearing the community's views on the proposed redevelopment Master Plan option.”

The council has also approved $75,000 for funding to staff to continue with the Council office accommodation and car parking elements of the project.

The three plans are ranked as ‘least ambitious', ‘mid ambitious' and ‘most ambitious' and they all include the removal of the administration building, council chambers and the customer service center on Willow Street.

According to reports, refurbishing the existing buildings will not be cost effective, the most recent estimate for the buildings came out at $28.7 million.

All three options include a plan for a new Harrington Street parking building and to facilitate Durham Street hotel development.

The completion of the plan depends on a number of factors including community support, affordability and value for money. The delivery on the mid ambitious plan is estimated to be five years where the most ambitious plan will likely take more than 10 years to complete.

The community is invited to give their opinions on the next phase of the project through public consultation on the long term plan amendment in June 2016.

The project to develop a Civic Heart started after toxic mold was found in Council buildings in 2014 and the community feedback surrounding the issue.

Elected members of the Council agree that Tauranga needs to create a world class Civic Heart that will deliver a more active, safe and vibrant city center, improved value for money for the community and improved local and regional economic development.