Council debt reduction selldown slow starter

Mount developer Bain McDonald's idea to transform the Phoenix carpark into an urban green space has been adopted by the Tauranga City Council. PHOTO/FILE

Tauranga City Council's plan to reduce its debt by up to $18 million by selling off surplus properties is off to a slow start.

Only one of the 14 key properties on a list, totalling 40 parcels of land, has been sold since the council announced the sell-off nearly three years ago.

Many of the 24 reserves were small properties no longer needed for the purposes they were obtained, and would attract buyer interest only from neighbours.

Of the 14 key properties, only a 14.2-hectare block of Cambridge Rd rural land, above the Route K toll plaza, had been sold to adjoining owners. The council would not reveal the sale price.

The biggest potential money-spinner, the $6.5 million Phoenix carpark in the Mount Maunganui Shopping Centre, did not go ahead after the community persuaded the council to redevelop the area into a passive green space.

No sale was possible "at this time" of the Tauranga Tourist Park in Mayfair St. It was acquired from the Crown and was subject to the 1915 Tauranga Foreshore Vesting and Endowment Act. The land was valued at $1.6 million.

Newton St's $6.4 million Tatua and Soper reserves have also been taken off the list following community consultation.

The status of the other nine key pieces of land were:

-Rawhiti St Reserve, Greerton (1.33ha): Geotechnical work has been commissioned to see if a residential lot is possible.

-Solomon St Reserve, Bellevue (2601sq m): Land may be needed for stormwater purposes.

-Cheyne Park Recreation Reserve, Pyes Pa (2000sq m): Reserve status needs to be revoked.

-Kanuka Reserve, Pyes Pa (1.47ha): Reserve status needs to be revoked.

-Six 15th Ave commercial properties between Burrows St and Mayfair St: Discussions continuing with tenants regarding their leases.

-Rural land off Route K below golf course and Marshall Ave (38ha): Discussions continuing with adjoining property owner.

-Land bordering Takitimu Drive below 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th Aves: Consultation this year on the 4th Ave property. Offer-back provisions under Public Works Act being completed on the other areas.

-Cambridge Rd rural below Richards Way (6.9ha): Discussions continuing with adjoining property owners.

-Subway Building, Greerton Shopping Centre (600sq m): Property retained until Greerton Library development finalised.

The council was preparing to sell 11 other commercial or residential-zoned properties. They were: 339 Bell Rd, 32 Keilor Rd, 89 Hull Rd, 2014L Kairua Rd, Hilltop Rd, 31 Maleme St, 113 Mansels Rd, 4D Belk Rd, 55 Merivale Rd, 137A & B Greerton Rd, and the Mirrielees Rd/Cross Rd Marine Precinct.