Tauranga City's CBD revitalisation remains stalled

What we got (top) versus the original vision (bottom photo)

Tauranga City was fast to demolish their Council Building, but two years on, there is no sign that they are seriously contemplating a rebuild. It turns out that the mold in the old building was not really significant, and the building should have been saved.

TCC governance set up a City Transformation Committee with terms of reference to:

Role

• To ensure that Tauranga’s urban form supports economic and social vibrancy

• To enable Tauranga’s urban centres to thrive and provide a sense of place.

• To enable the development of a vibrant, safe and successful city centre.

• To ensure that council and partner investments in Tauranga’s built environment are economically and environmentally resilient.

Scope

• Development and oversight of urban centres strategies, neighbourhood plans and master-plans.

• Development and oversight of the Compact City programme in support of higher development densities and the provision of better housing options.

• Leadership of plans for the city centre, including the Heart of the City programme.

• Development of City Plan changes and related matters for adoption by Council.

What a disaster that turned out to be. Not before time, they have disestablished that Committee, but not before destroying much of the CBD's business community. The redevelopment of the CBD is going ahead despite, not because of, the City Council.

Where is the vision? There currently is no sign of it. We now have a new CEO in Marty Grenfell, whose appointment was one of the few good decisions that the current councillors have made. Hopefully Marty will get some cohesion, and New Zealand's 5th biggest city can regain its lost sense of vision, and embark on a regeneration of what was once a great place to live.

My advice to Councillors is to stop pining for the Port of Tauranga nestegg, that the Regional Council has nurtured since 1989. You had the same opportunity when you were gifted the cities electricity assets, but you sold them off, and then squandered the capital. Stop looking over the fence, and get your own house in order. The Regional Council isn't your saviour.

Our Regional Council also needs to improve its governance. For the past decade we have operated like a bloated cow - gorging ourselves on our Port dividends - allowing us to operate with little sign of efficiency and effectiveness. We, too, have a new CEO in Fiona McTavish. I believe that Fiona has what it takes to be an effective CEO, but she needs to be supported by strong and effective governance. Like Tauranga City, we have a long way to go when it comes to effective governance. Our blessing is that we have a near $2 billion investment in the Port, that has been a stellar performer in its own right.

Time for Back of the Bus Advertising again

Labour's continuing low blows

Refurbishing rentals

I have no problem with requiring landlords to ensure that their rental properties are fit for purpose - including insulation and heating to ensure tenants wellbeing.

My problem is that private citizens are required to achieve this two years earlier than the State. NZ Housing has a large portfolio of state owned housing, but as a ratio to its total assets, it is likely to much less than most private investors. As such they should (at least) have to upgrade their properties within the same timeframe as individual invests - not twice as long. This is plain hypocrisy.

Capital Gains Tax

Sir Michael Cullin's tax working group has seemed to have forgotten that when an individual buyers a rental property, they do so using tax-paid money. The same is true for shares, and other investment. This "envy" Capital Gains Tax will mean that Government is double-dipping. It will discourage Kiwi families striving to get ahead. It is counter productive, and just another tax grab.

Global research shows that a Capital Gains Tax will not resolve the housing crisis. And the fact is that low income New Zealanders pay no tax anyway. This proposal is socialism at its worst.

Kiwisaver & other sharemarket investments

New Zealanders are very poor at saving money, and the biggest value in Kiwisaver is that it has got most NZers saving for their retirement. Now, along comes Capital Gains and there is even more dis-incentive. Shame on you, Jacinda (or should I say Taxcinda). This tax grab is ethically criminal. Shame on you. Shame.

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