Proposed library shortfall slammed

Kate Clark says the council is out of step with the rest of the country.

Tauranga City Councils reluctance to sell the Subway shopping block to fund a shortfall in Greerton's new $3.5 million library has been slammed as a case of big boys' toys.

Friends of the Libraries spokeswoman Kate Clark argued that selling the Subway block on the corner of Chadwick and Greerton Rd's was a much better solution than the plan to sell the Plunket property - the other council-owned property flanking the suburbs old library.

In a hard-hitting speech that frequently drew applause from a packed public gallery, Mrs Clark attacked the council for the planned cuts in library services to fund the $3.45 million replacement library.

"Libraries are the heart of every community. This council is so out of step with the rest of New Zealand that it is appalling," she told a recent Annual Plan hearing.

Mrs Clark urged the council to sell the higher value Subway block, saying that to not sell because it was returning 8 per cent was a case of big boy's and their toys. "We say the council is not in the business of being retail landlords."

She said the Subway block was originally bought for the development of a new library whereas the Plunket site was ideally suited for a future community centre or library expansion. Selling the Subway site meant the council would not have to cut library services to fund the $900,000 loan needed to make up the new library's funding shortfall. Mrs Clark explained that selling Plunket and other undefined land would cause a loan to be added to Greerton Library's operating costs, with the flow-on effect that library services across Tauranga would be cut.

"This does not need to happen ... the Subway sale would provide ample funds to complete the project and can be sold immediately."

The Friends also proposed cutting operating expenses over the two years of construction to $115,000 in the second year rather than $230,000 over the two years. Rates would increase by $2.10 a year per property to fund the $115,000.

Councillor John Robson said: "It is not about big boys toys. We have been given the task to get this council back on its financial feet again."