University agreement nears

An agreement over Durham Street university campus is expected to be completed before Christmas, says TECT chairman Bill Holland today.

The Heads of Agreement, which will determine how the campus will be owned, managed and built, is seen as the next step towards appointing a project manager so that plans can be drawn up.

How Tauranga's university may look.

University of Waikato acting Vice Chancellor Alister Jones expects to have the agreement sealed before the festive period.

'We need this to be signed off by council early December,” says Alister. 'What we are all working towards is to have something in place by Christmas to allow us to start putting plans in place.”

As well as allowing the selection of a project manager and consultation, the agreement will also allow access to $15 million start-up money from both the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Tauranga Energy Consumers' Trust.

Tauranga City Council is providing the land – 0.4 hectares of city carparks opposite the Trustpower construction site – and possible construction will start later in 2015, ready for opening in 2018.

While the cost of the project is unknown, estimates leapt from $55 million in 2012 to $65 million in 2013. Priority One's September newsletter now states it is a $88.8 million project, and that the university will pick up the balance.

'What we are trying to create is a vison for the size and scale of the campus and the costs are yet to be decided,” adds Alister.

'We are not limited and don't want to be limited by the size of the land that's been donated and the S30 million. The university is committing and has committed to do stage two of the project. We've got a fairly clear path to create a world leading facility in the CBD in Tauranga.”

'We are making significant progress now and we don't want to delay any longer than we have to get a quality and high class tertiary facility.”

Bill Holland is also relaxed about the cost, saying they were never that firm on a figure in the first place.

'In a sense we didn't really care what it cost at the end of the day. We are very clear stage one is going ahead - that's the initial building - and we want it to be a really nice building.

'The university wants a really nice building too, so they can spend as much money on it as they like.

'We have never been particularly troubled by that. We know they will pick up the tab, and the better they make the building the happier we will be.

'Final plans haven't been done. It can only be a very rough estimate. And with rough estimates you can mention a figure and it changes.”

The new campus is predicted to generate $133 million in regional revenue and provide over 600 new jobs.

It will also significantly revitalise the city centre and strengthen the business case for other projects such as the development of an international hotel and conference centre.

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5 comments

These are folk GIVING away community funds

Posted on 06-10-2014 15:38 | By Murray.Guy

These are folk GIVING away community funds. No accountability and even less responsibility. >>> Bill Holland is also relaxed about the cost, saying they were never that firm on a figure in the first place. 'In a sense we didn't really care what it cost at the end of the day. We are very clear stage one is going ahead - that's the initial building - and we want it to be a really nice building. 'The university wants a really nice building too, so they can spend as much money on it as they like.


cost

Posted on 06-10-2014 19:57 | By surfsup

think of a figure then double it,then triple it,then say we don't care about the cost.Not the most comforting thin to hear in terms of financial responsiblity


cost

Posted on 07-10-2014 08:01 | By expatAucklander

Here's some news for you - buildings cost money. Quite a bit of money. Seems that the permanently aggrieved would prefer to simply slap a prefab or two on the site and reinforce the image of $10 Tauranga. This is one of the only projects in the works to attempt to enhance Tauranga's relevance in the 21st century and encourage diversification from primary industry. The contribution from TCC, TRC and Transpower is capped to their original promise regardless of how much Uni of Waikato decide to spend so if anything we should be happy that they are investing in the CBD.


Haven't learnt expatAucklander

Posted on 07-10-2014 12:05 | By Murray.Guy

In the real world expatAucklander when investing our time and money for which we are responsible and liable, we have a clear understanding of goals to be achieved and the effort and cost required PRIOR to committing excessive dollars. The concern expressed is NOT the project so much as the surprise at the attitude. The difference being, folk are dishing out the resources of others. Your comments in regards a 'cap' being in place and provide confidence to the ratepayers and community is as valid as Mayor Crosby's 100 day City Vision promise - In regards the use of public monies, rarely does any stated 'cap' apply. Invariably those who come cap in hand as a 'oncer' to the ratepayers purse, find they cannot count. Just as it applies in 'Len Brown Country'. Being responsible does not mean being anti development, being miserable!


What Cap?

Posted on 07-10-2014 22:18 | By Plonker

TCC can't help themselves but ignore that, yes it is "capped" as said now, but when the costs rocket upwards then the cap will disappeared rapidly. TCC are very efficient at making additional hand outs for anywhere and everywhere.


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