Tauranga City Council has adopted its 2017/18 Annual Report and Annual Report Summary, reviewing another year of growth and change for the city.
Tauranga's population reached 135,000 last financial year, and housing development reflected this with 1260 new dwellings consented in the year. Commercial investment was strong, with $350m of new investment in the city, and tourism boomed with visitor spend in the Coastal Bay of Plenty reaching the $1 billion mark in 2017/18, the council said in a statement.
Mayor Greg Brownless said that this was good for jobs and the economy, translating into employment growth and GDP growth figures both significantly higher than national averages.
"We're also seeing our city centre's skyline change with some large-scale developments like the future university campus, and a lot of construction across the whole city. This is undeniably a positive sign for a city as it means people and businesses are investing in its future", he said.
"On the flipside, growth puts pressure on our infrastructure's capacity including water supply, wastewater, stormwater and roads."
"But we're glad to report that projects to relieve this pressure are progressing, and that more is planned within the Long Term Plan", Brownless said.
In 2017/18 the organisation invested $69m in transport infrastructure projects, including $18m of NZTA-funded projects, and $22m in new water and wastewater infrastructure.
The Southern Pipeline wastewater main was due to be commissioned this financial year (2018/19), and work has started on building the new water supply at Waiari, to be delivered in 2021.
"And through the Long Term Plan process we have agreed to a significant capital works programme over the next 10 years to deliver better transportation options for the city. This will go towards public transport, walking and cycling, as well as improvements to local roads, including bringing forward a solution for Turret Road. In total we're planning on developing $750m worth of infrastructure, which will be offset by $298m of NZTA subsidies."
Over the 2017/18 year Council received $55m of revenue from development contributions and vested assets, and capital subsidy revenue of $33m – primarily from NZTA. This contributed to net debt levels $93m under budget at year-end, at $349m. With a total operating revenue of $210m, the debt-to-revenue ratio also came in under budget, at 167%.
"These are good results, showing financial prudence, but we know that paying for the city's growth will continue to be a challenge in the years ahead", said Brownless.
"As such we're glad to have secured $158m of interest-free loan for new water supply and wastewater treatment this year, from the Government's Housing Infrastructure Fund."
The annual report also highlights projects Tauranga City Council has driven to cater for Tauranga's growing community.
Highlights included Vessel Works, the new marine precinct; significant progress on the Southern Pipeline wastewater project; the success of Bay Oval; the revival of The Historic Village; the success of our libraries' educational programmes; McLarens Falls Park's second Green Flag award; Council's transportation initiatives to encourage cycling and active modes of transport; and other projects in collaboration with Tangata Whenua and Project Tauranga partners to develop and enhance Tauranga together.
The report recognised some tough times in the past year, with the death of Councillor Gail McIntosh, and the Bella Vista Homes development saga in Pyes Pa, which the council said it continued to work through.
In parallel to progressing planning for new suburbs in Tauriko West and Te Tumu, council and partners are working on ways to develop a more compact urban form across the city. The draft Tauranga Urban Strategy acknowledges that we now need to build upwards instead of outwards, in new growth areas and in existing urban areas.
"This is early days, and we will be working closely with the community in the coming years to define what this may look like, and how it could deliver better urban spaces.
"We have much work ahead to support our wonderful city's growth, and create places and spaces for our community – and with our community."
