Rotorua wants growth and development and the city is about to see two major developments forging ahead - the Pukeroa Oruawhata shopping centre alongside the new Mega Mitre 10 and a new shopping centre at Lynmore by the Tarawera roundabout, developed by Rotorua's Tony Bradley.
These are two major projectsand while development is a good thing for the city's future, it must be balanced with what is sustainable.
One would hate to think that either of these projects will be at the expense of what we have in the central city or that, in a few years, the businesses that do open up shop are forced out due to lack of business. The last thing we need is more empty shops or developments.
Attracting new businesses - one way to kickstart population growth - hasn't been easy in recent years but Mr Bradley says he already has nine businesses signed up for his development, four of them new to Rotorua and others well-known national food chains.
Meanwhile, it's envisaged Trade Central, as the other new development is being called, will become a one-stop shop for home and trade businesses.
The two projects are ambitious and we hope the faith those behind them have placed in their ability to attract businesses into their developments is rewarded with two new, full shopping centres that will help see Rotorua thrive well into the future.
If the developers manage to fill these two new centres, it will be up to the Rotorua population to help keep them full.
