Thirty-five out of a possible 80,000! That is how many citizens have found out how to vote on the Civic Centre proposal.

This is a $70 million to $90 million project, to demolish our council buildings and build new ones.

I raise this because I see it as a classic example of the farcical situation that passes for democracy at Tauranga City Council.

I have yet to meet anyone who knows how to make a submission on TCC plans! However, councillors constantly say their plans are put to us for our opinions.

They then act on them, knowing the system is a farce.

Simon Bridges, our Tauranga MP, was reported as saying Whangarei District Council had a binding referenda on a plan to build a new museum to honour the works of late artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser – and the people voted in favour of it! Now that is, I believe, real democracy. TCC refuses to allow binding referenda. Election time soon, so this lot have got to go.

K Evans, Tauranga City.