Controversial museum and library recommendations to go before full Tauranga City Council today

The proposed museum site on Cliff Rd. File photo

This afternoon the recommendation of a council committee for a $55.65m Cliff Rd museum and $30m new Willow St library will face the full council.

Under the recommendation made by the city transformation committee on December 5, ratepayers would fork out $20.56m for the museum and $25m for the library.

The committee rejected other investigated options including an integrated museum and library at Willow Street.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges slammed the committee's decision, saying it was the wrong location choice and would lead to budget blowouts and delays.

He preferred a Willow St museum.

This was also the preferred option of Gail McIntosh, who was the only one of the eight-person committee to vote against having a standalone museum on Cliff Rd.

Three councillors have yet to vote on the issue. At least one - Bill Grainger - has stated his support for a Willow St museum. Rick Curach and Catherine Stewart have also yet to vote.

The Tauranga Moana Museum Trust, which has remained neutral on site choice, is scheduled to make a submission to the council at the start of the 1pm meeting.

An architectural sketch of how a museum could sit at Cliff Rd. Image supplied/TCC