Completed designs for the city council's 3.25m Access to Water project are to be presented to the city council Monitoring Committee today for approval.

The budget for the project was reported and endorsed by councillors in December 2015. The Streetscape, Waterfront and Open Space fund has been adjusted in the 2015-2025 Long Term Plan to reflect this spending in the 2016/17 financial year.

Completed designs are being presented today for approval.

LandLAB is the design lead and Beca is providing engineering services. Their cost estimate for the construction of the tidal stairs, pier and pontoon was provided in June was 3.25m based on the design then being 90 per cent complete. The sum includes a contingency of $360,000.

A Registration of Interest was developed by staff and LandLAB with input from the Public Art Advisory Group and independent advisors from the artistic community, calling for proposals for public art to be integrated into the project.

The evaluation and appointment of an artist will be worked through following the close of registrations. The successful proposal will be brought to Council in due course for formal approval in accordance with the Public Art Policy.

The report in today's committee agenda says overall design intent and vision of the project, as provided by the lead designer LandLAB, is to reinforce this area as the active water's edge destination at the intersection of the north-south waterfront promenade and the east-west Wharf St and Masonic Park 'civic axis'.

The combination of pier, wharf and stairs stitch together land and water to create a defined and enclosed 'blue room' which reinforces Tauranga's spiritual and physical connection to the harbour.

The design has been modified following discussions with the Licence Parties who include; Tangata Whenua, Tauranga City Centre businesses/retailers, Event organisers, Water space users (including vessels working from Fisherman's Wharf, Mooring owners and water sport organisations), The University of Waikato Marine Research Centre.

The design will have no impact on the existing Hammerhead mosaic and water fountain, but does necessitate some change to the grassed area to the south of the Hairy Maclary statues.