Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless is calling on the Government to honour its commitment to four-lane 15th Ave and Turret Rd.
In his address, immediately after his swearing in this week, he says traffic congestion is an issue the new Tauranga City Council is going to have to get on top of.
'We have got a challenge that many towns would dream of – rapid growth,” says Greg. 'Along with that growth and the jobs and prosperity that brings to many citizens, is the challenge in keeping up with what's needed to support that growth."
That is why previous councils' planned projects, like the Southern Pipeline sewer, and the Waiari water scheme, says Greg.
'I would like the Government very much to honour its commitment regarding 15th Ave and Turret Rd, and to assist us to ease other bottlenecks as well.
The Government previously promised to pay for the Welcome Bay grade separation, the duplication of the Hairini bridge and four-laning Turret Rd and 15th Ave.
'Of course, if all we do is widen the roads these too will eventually clog so we need to take that broader view and explore longer term solutions as well.”
The city council also needs to make it clearer to ratepayers where its money is actually spent, says Greg, who cites Local Government New Zealand figures show only six out of 10 people know local roading is paid for from rates.
The council need to look at other funding sources and resist being lumbered with costs properly the responsibility of government, says Greg.
The latest example of government passing the buck is the devolution of the Easter Sunday trading issue to councils, along with the requirement for consultation – which he says will be at a cost to councils.
'And when it comes to thinking about funding, our tourism industry is really doing well here at the moment and I think that's great,” says Greg. 'We are experiencing large growth in tourism and I read millions and millions of dollars in extra GST has been collected from tourism.
'One hundred per cent of that goes to government. Not a cent to councils, something we are going to have to get on top of.”
The council is also receiving increasing requests for infrastructure besides road and sewers; things like a museum, a new library, performance venue, and a hotel and conference venue.
'For these to become realities funding from other than ratepayers has to be found. Not only the capital, but ongoing operational expenditure. We will be doing our best to look for that,” says Greg.