Recent media reports have surfaced confirming those primarily driving the proposed local university educational facility, namely University of Waikato and Maori interests styled under the appellation Te Whare Wananga o… etc. are looking to TECT and Bay Regional Council to effectively fund the first two stages by trumping up with $15 million each. I find this incredible, particularly as TCC ratepayers are effectively providing the land free of charge for 30 years odd and probably forever because like night follows day, it will no doubt be subject to some sort of claim once the facility is fully developed – mark my words.
If there is genuine support for a University facility, and TECT and Bay Regional Council prepared to provide $30 million, then Tauranga and Western Bay should be going it alone and controlling the whole operation without any outside interference.
Sure, we might need Government help in fitting it out, providing tutors, teachers and staffing plus normal funding but nothing else, except of course, students. Bay Regional Council ratepayers and Tauranga City Council ratepayers should be outraged at the proposal currently being floated. We don't need non-contributors like Waikato University and Maori interests grabbing and controlling this valuable educational asset from Tauranga and Western Bay citizens.
Serious car-parking issues, etc. for the whole area have still not been addressed by TCC.

R Paterson, Matapihi.