Regional councilor Doug Owens is announcing his bid for the Tauranga mayoralty, joining five other contenders for the seat being vacated by the incumbent Stuart Crosby.

Doug is contending for the Tauranga mayoralty with deputy mayor Kelvin Clout, city councilor John Robson, retirement home manager and former chamber of commerce CEO Max Mason, former Trustpower community services manager Graeme Purches, and former city councilor Murray Guy.

Bay of Plenty Regional councilor Doug Owens is throwing his hat in the ring for the Tauranga City mayoralty. Supplied Photo.

'I've had six years with the regional council, a lot of experience under my belt. I can see things clearly, the time is now. This is my time I think and I'm sure I can make a very valuable contribution to the debate and make some change.”

Doug is keen to get involved in the city's new civic heart development, suggesting Quayside Holdings Limited could be an investor in the project.

Quayside Holdings is the investment arm of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, holding the public shareholding in the Port of Tauranga Ltd and returns $139 million in dividends to the regional council.

Doug says Quayside could be a potential investor as it has already invested in 148ha of industrial land at Rangiuru and is also investing in The Lakes.

'I think the project very good one to look at but it has to be at the right price,” says Doug.

'The potential for it to get out of hand is there. I don't believe the council is the right model structure to be getting involved with a project of this size. I think they should prepare the way.

'I would be very concerned if this council locked the next council into a situation that suddenly could become too expensive. Sure get it ready, but it's the next council that has to make these decisions, not them.”

Another reason why he's put the Quayside option on the table is that the money goes back into the public purse, which makes paying a lease more palatable, says Doug.

'I'm in the construction game doing projects all the time, I have that experience. I know how it works in the background and where the money can get lost,” says Doug.

'But I'm really keen on the whole thing. I think it's a fantastic idea and a once in a lifetime opportunity and I have got to say it's one of the reasons I'm standing.”