Solving suburban issues study

Tauranga City Council is being asked to spend $350,000 investigating planning issues arising in Welcome Bay and Ohauiti.

These suburbs were planned in the 1990s, and development of them is now substantially complete.

Their current population is about 15,000 and is projected to grow by only another 2000-3000 people, says a staff report discussed by the City Transformation Committee this week.

The report says the need for a study is being driven by a lack of education options, especially intermediate and secondary schooling, as well as primary schooling in Ohauiti; incomplete and aging council community facilities; a lack of retail and commercial provision to meet local needs and support local trip containment, especially a supermarket for the wider catchment; and a local shopping centre in Ohauiti.

The bulk of the estimated project cost of $350,000 is made up of $200,000 of transport investigations, modelling and option development, and $100,000 for the three waters investigation (water supply, wastewater, and stormwater) including modelling and option development. The commercial/retail and social infrastructure investigations are estimated to cost $50,000.

An internal submission has been made to the 2017/18 Annual Plan to provide funding for the project, as it cannot be undertaken within existing budgets.

The committee is recommending the council approve the study.

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4 comments

Here we go again

Posted on 12-06-2017 10:28 | By Taffy

They just can,t help themselves They commission an internal report which would seem to confirm what may be required but they now wish to instigate another report to the tune of $350K which will then go out for consultation followed no doubt by more reports and costing more money.My question to the elected members.If it was good enough for TCC staff to produce the initial report why can,t the elected members formulate comprehensive instructions to the CEO requesting a more detailed report without the need to go to outside consultants.That is what TCC staff are paid to perform,secondly,why we voted these elected members.It just seems the easy solution(if they want info) let,s get a consultants report probably because if it,s not correct they can blame someone other than themselves.Just get on with it yourselves and stop spending money .


Overdue

Posted on 12-06-2017 13:27 | By Chris

Gotta disagree with the previous commenter, this is overdue. These are Tauranga's neglected suburbs, with a huge proportion of spending going to trendier newer suburbs like The Lakes and Papamoa. Welcome Bay and Ohauiti desperately need some attention from Council.


Consultants.

Posted on 12-06-2017 15:52 | By sangrae

Yes both Taffy and Chris are right but a committee of two councillors and two senior staff along with the CEO should be the ones makin these reccomendations surely there are two senior staff copetant enough to do this these reports, come on Mr Mayor sort your council out.


@Chris

Posted on 12-06-2017 17:19 | By Taffy

You are missing my point ,yes it needs to be looked at,but not to the tune of$350K for outside consultants, It can be done internally at next to no cost by TCC staff,What,s the point in having these people and paying them high salaries?


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