Thames-Coromandel District Council will be taking proposed changes to the Whitianga Town Centre Upgrade project out to the community for consultation.

A TCDC spokesperson explains they are looking to compress the work into two stages, rather than three, and this means a new budget will be required for Stage Two.

'This is your opportunity to let us know if you support the change in budget. While this is a targeted consultation within Mercury Bay regarding the local rate impact, it is not a closed consultation and is open to the wider community and other interested parties.”

When TCDC's 2015-25 Long Term Plan was developed, the Town Centre upgrade was anticipated to take place over several years in three stages.

But the council's our latest planning and detailed design has given them more accurate costs, and it has also incorporated feedback from businesses.

'So we are now undertaking the work in two stages, which will also mean less disruption. Stage One is Albert St into Taylor's Mistake and Stage Two is the balance of Taylor's Mistake and The Esplanade.

'The intention is to complete the entire Town Centre upgrade in time for the Cook 250 celebrations in October/November 2019.”

Because the scope of the project has changed to compress the upgrade into two stages rather than three, and the budget set aside in TCDC's long term plan only covered Stage One, a new budget is required for Stage Two.

'That means there will be financial implications for the ratepayers of Mercury Bay and we need your feedback.”

Stage Two is estimated to cost $715,941, meaning an average rates rise of $4.27 (0.8 per cent) for 2017/18 per ratepayer in the Mercury Bay area. The expenditure is loan-funded so the impact per ratepayer from 2018/19 onward is $8.25 as depreciation, loan repayments and interest are applied.

The estimated total rate increase for 2017/18 for Mercury Bay ratepayers, which includes the Town Centre upgrade project, is 3.28 per cent.

However, Whitianga Town Centre Upgrade project manager Andrew Boden says the physical construction work for Stage One will be delayed as TCDC has had to hold a longer tender period.

'We are competing against Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga, all of which are extremely busy with major infrastructure projects themselves.

'The current market for development both regionally and even nationally just can't keep up with the demand and because of our geography, Whitianga is not as high priority as these other centres, when it comes quoting for larger scale work.”

Once tenders are in, a recommendation for contractor appointment will go to council's July meeting, subject to a review of the received tenders. This means Stage One will now be constructed in 2018.

Both Stage One and Two will still be completed in time for the Mercury Bay 250 commemorations in 2019, adds Andrew.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Public consultation on Whitianga Town Centre Upgrade project is now open and finishes at 4pm on Monday, May 15.

A public meeting where locals and interested parties can learn more about the proposal will also be taking place on Wednesday May 3, from 5-6.30pm, with the venue yet to be confirmed.

A TCDC spokesperson is asking everyone who makes make a submission to inform council if they would like to attend a hearing to speak in support of their submission.

'Please include a telephone number and email address so we can contact you to arrange a time for your presentation.”

There a several options for people wanting to make a submission.

Completed submission forms can be mailed to Thames-Coromandel District Council, Private Bag, Thames, 3540, dropped off at area offices in Thames, Coromandel Town, Whitianga or Whangamata, or faxed to 07-868-0234.

Alternatively, people can also use TCDC's online consultation portal at www.haveyoursay-tcdc.objective.com, or send an email to council's Customer Services team at: [email protected]

For more information on the Whitianga Town Centre Upgrade project, visit www.tcdc.govt.nz/whiticentreupgrade