Details seeping out of Tauranga City Council of late reveal massive wish-lists and disasters. The usual TCC suspects are at it again. Some revelations to last week (reference: last week's TCC agenda's) include:

Ratepayer funded buses have achieved about two per cent more passengers at double the cost. That's failed!

Bay Venues wants some $5.8-million this year for expanding their ability to compete with local businesses ... unacceptable!

Two million dollars for a marine precinct "offloading wharf". That's 100 per cent confirmation that all before failed from $10-15million already spent! Note: Perhaps the $300,000/pa consultant's salary should be axed. Bad-as!

Tauranga Art Gallery wants $259,000 for exhibitions. They were to get ratepayer funds for the first year only ... shocking!

A wastewater pipeline budgeted at $8-9-million or so for Te Tumu has blown out to $30-40-million already.

Several others are reported too, where the $16-18million budget has increased by $70million of new debt. Remember Greerton roundabout, Phoenix and others. Same but bigger/worse!

TCC's magical numbers are created without evidence/explanation. Councillors just approve without proper inquiry, disaster follows. How can anyone take TCC seriously?

The consequence however is clear. The LTP2018-2028 (TCC's Long Term Plan/budgets) with $2.4-billion of capital spending can't be right, that means spiralling debt/rates by 2028.

TCC remedial action is desperately needed ASAP.

Rere pokaiamio hiwa hewa tangata hiwa

Ian Stevenson Tauranga central