Sonya Bateson: Tauranga’s grim CBD needs change, progress and personalityPosted by MMP News AuthorOn July 28, 2023

OPINION

“It’s not all about economics.”

These were the words of investment advisor Edward Guy at a Tauranga City Council meeting about the future civic precinct project earlier this week.

The planned civic precinct, which
has been given the name Te Manawataki o Te Papa, will house new civic buildings including a library, community hub, museum, exhibition gallery and civic whare, and will incorporate upgrades to Baycourt and the Tauranga Art Gallery.

Taxpayers are expected to pay up to $151.5 million for the build, as well as projected annual running costs of $26m.

That’s a lot of money, no doubt about it.

John Robson, one of the city councillors discharged from duty in 2020, described the figures at the meeting as “frightening” and “an enormous burden on our taxpayers”.

In response, Edward Guy, who manages independent advisory company Rationale, said the precinct could attract two million visitors by 2035.

“It’s not all about economics,’ he told the meeting.

As a ratepayer, I’m firmly on Guy’s side on this one. Nothing is ever all about economics. It plays a big role, sure, but there’s always more to it than that.

Look at Tauranga’s city centre. Have you been there recently? I was there at the weekend.

It’s grim, I tell you. Grim.

I intended to…