$3m allocated to Jean Batten Square, Haupapa St developments

Jean Batten Park development featuring plenty of seating and play areas with in-ground trampolines, slides and other features.

Nearly $3 million has been allocated by the Rotorua Lakes Council to the extension and development of Jean Batten Square and improvements in Haupapa St.

The agenda for today's council meeting contains previously confidential minutes from last month's meeting, during which several contracts were discussed behind closed doors.

The minutes reveal the council has approved a variation to an existing contract in the amount of $2,999,899.99.

Council group manager strategy Jean-Paul Gaston told the Rotorua Daily Post it expanded the existing contract for the City Focus refresh - Te Manawa project to include other planned works in the inner city, namely the extension and development of Jean Batten Square and improvements in Haupapa St.

He said there was no additional cost to the original contract.

"The cost of the works ... totals $3m, which has been allocated from existing roading and parks budgets.

"These works are separate to, but will enhance, the Library and Child Health Hub project to which the Lakes District Health Board, which will become a long-term tenant in the library building, is contributing."

He said Jean Batten Park was being extended and developed after the removal of Community House and will provide a central city park area to link the library and iSite buildings.

"Improvements to Haupapa St will create a people-friendly space for those using the area and for those using the public carpark in that street. The carpark has some long-term parking but is reverting to short-term parking only, with a portion to be allocated to those providing and using child health services in the hub."

The minutes also show the council has awarded the Rotorua District Resealing 2017-2020 contract to Fulton Hogan for $11,136,674.72.

The Urban Water Renewals 2017-2018 contract was awarded to Goodrick Contracting Ltd for $1,361,533.87.

Meanwhile, councillors at today's meeting will be asked to approve recommendations from committees namely using the first past the post voting system and the random option for candidate names on voting papers for the next two local body elections, establishing a co-governance arrangement with CNI Iwi Holdings over the Tokorangi Forest and the appointment of alternate local controllers for the Civil Defence Emergency Management.

Recommendations on the Air Quality Bylaw Review will also be tabled as will a report to appoint a council representative to the Rotorua Geothermal Liaison Group after the resignation of Euan McLachlan.

The council will then go into a confidential session to discuss the Polynesian Spa admission charge increase, a Plan Change 10 appeal, audit and risk committee appointments, the appointment of a Te Tatau o Te Arawa nominee to the strategy, policy and finance committee and the tender approval for Waipa State Mill Rd realignment.

The meeting starts at 9.30am in the council chamber and is open to the public.