City council signs off on land transfer

Mayor Stuart Crosby says the change would not affect any of the local parks and spaces. Photo / George Novak

Tauranga City Council has signed off on the transfer of four key areas of land to Bay Venues Limited.

Although submitters expressed their concerns over the move Mayor Stuart Crosby said the change would not affect any of the local parks and spaces.

In June the council agreed to lease the land on which the nine properties sit to Bay Venues for nominal rental. Part of this agreement required Bay Venues to maintain the properties, pay for all outgoing costs, and to enter into a lease agreement with the council.

The buildings include the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre and Memorial Hall, Mount Maunganui Sports Centre, Bethlehem Hall, Greerton Community Hall, Matua Hall, Tauriko Hall, Welcome Bay Hall, Arataki Community Centre and the Papamoa Sports and RecreationCentre.

In yesterday's meeting the council granted Bay Venues the lease of land for the four recreational reserves; Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre and Memorial Hall, Mount Maunganui Sports Centre, Arataki Community Centre and Papamoa Sport and Recreation Centre.

Mr Crosby said the council had to consult if they were to lease out land and the management plan which would look after it.

The interesting part of the lease was they were leasing it to a company they already owned, he said.

Mr Crosby said the change was made so there was one point of accountability and financial accountability for the properties.

"This way is a lot more transparent, one owner, one operator, one set of financial accounts. Effectively they own them and run them now."

Mr Crosby said under Bay Venues the pieces of land and buildings would not be changed or altered in any way. If Bay Venues wanted to do any changes they would have to go back to the council and the council would then engage with the public, he said.