Mount Maunganui's planned visitor information centre has been restored to its iconic status after the council today reversed its controversial decision to cut rates funding by $1.5 million.
Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless, who previously voted in favour of pruning the council's contribution from $4m to $2.5m, was instrumental in tipping the scales back in favour of the larger amount.
Councillor Larry Baldock's move to revoke the June 8 decision succeeded today by a vote of 6-5, with the mayor the only person to shift their position on the issue.
Mr Brownless said he could see the positives and negatives of what most councillors were saying. It was important to give the project the best chance of seeking the additional $1m of external funding, including from a tourism fund set up by the Government.
The $1m was needed to give the building an iconic status through a huge roof, lifting the final cost to $5m. Tourism Bay of Plenty was tasked with finding the additional $1m.