Tauranga City Council is at the pointy end of a year’s worth of research, evaluation and engagement for a proposed museum and new central library for Tauranga as part of the revitalisation of the Heart of the City.
Elected members will participate in three workshops in November 2017 to consider the extensive analysis developed on the four remaining options for delivery of a proposed Tauranga museum and new central library.
City Transformation Committee Chairman Larry Baldock will chair the meetings coming up with elected members.
“It is exciting to finally be at this stage in the project,” Mr Baldock said.
Elected members will hear all the technical information for each option including: Architectural drawings, site assessments, capital costs, external funding, visitation, cost benefit analysis, operational cost, impact on debt and rates, and understanding willingness to pay.
Jaine Lovell-Gadd, City Transformation General Manager said this is a critical time for the project.
“We have engaged the best experts in the country and they will be presenting their findings on what the different options bring to Tauranga, so that Elected Members can make a considered and informed decision,” she said.
Over the next month Tauranga City Council is holding open days to enable the public to understand the options which are being considered and see all the technical information and results of the community engagement that will inform elected member decision making as it becomes available.
“This is an opportunity to give the same information to our community, to explain the considerations and where we have got to with bringing the ideas and aspirations of the community to life,” said Ms Lovell-Gadd.
On 5 December, the City Transformation Committee will meet to deliberate on the options and make a recommendation to Council. Council will then consider a preferred way forward on 19th of December.
The preferred option decided on by Council will be included in the draft Long Term Plan 2018-2028. The public will then be consulted in April 2018 on that preferred option, alongside other council proposals.
Council open workshops
Session 1
Tuesday 7 November 2.30 – 5pm
Session 2
29 November – 2 - 4pm
Session 3
30 November 9 -12pm [A part of this session may be closed due to confidentiality of information]
Topics for discussion:
- What are the community’s expectations for the facilities?
- What are the architectural design challenges and opportunities for each option?
- What are the resource planning and other technical considerations?
- What is the cost for each option?
- What kind of visitation numbers are predicted for each option?
- What would be the economic and social benefits of each option?
- What level of external funding can we hope to raise for each option?
- What would be the impact on rates for each option?
- Is there a willingness to pay from the community for ongoing costs to run these facilities?
- Can we afford the facilities?
Community info days
Where:
Tauranga City Council
Engagement Hub,
2 Devonport Road
(Opposite Whitcoulls)
Drop in sessions:
Wed 8 Nov: 10 - 6pm
Sat 11 Nov: 10 - 4pm
Wed 15 Nov: 10 - 6pm
Wed 22 Nov: 10 - 6pm
Wed 29 Nov: 10 - 6pm
Sat 2 Dec: 10 – 4pm
Contact us at hoc@tauranga.govt.nz to book a group visit.