Dave Burnett: Annual plan 'lacking detail'

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dave Burnett yesterday blasted city council for a "lack of detail" in this year's draft annual plan.

Mr Burnett spoke during day one of this week's hearings which started yesterday in the Tauranga City Council chambers. Before he detailed the chamber's submission he said he "had to" lay out his concerns in relation to the lack of detail in the draft annual plan this year.

"You speak of less mowing to save money but what does that actually mean?", he questioned elected members.

Does it mean you will go from cutting the grass once a week to once every two weeks? You need to be much clearer, more detail than what has been provided.

"You also speak of $8.5 million worth of property sales, but there is no detail. Which property is for sale?

"That sort of detail would have been helpful yet it is nowhere to be found. It seems strange."

Mr Burnett congratulated council on the low annual rating increase of 2 per cent but said the organisation could not support the proposed 4.7 per cent stormwater levy, which bumps the total rates increase to 6.7 per cent.

"We have a lot of support for those directly affected by inundation but the chamber feels a more considered approach through the 10 year plan with a long term view of the solution would be more prudent," he said.

He said the chamber had concerns about proposed cuts to the level of service, particularly to the mobile library and street cleaning, saying some cuts could affect the city's look and feel and could impact "future private investment".

Downtown Tauranga was a topic numerous times yesterday, with submitters calling on the council to stop charging for car parking to encourage people to shop in the CBD.

Western Bay of Plenty District councillor Margaret Murray-Benge said it was time they raised the bar and made sure people were welcomed into the city. Not penalised with expensive parking.

She also criticised the number of empty shops saying that council had a role to play in negotiating with landlords for cheaper rent.

"You should also make them tidy up their empty shops, clean the windows and clear out rubbish so it looks as though there were a hope they may one day be leased again.

"My concern is that you are quietly killing the central city."