Budget issues, unrealistic concepts - Tauranga City Council slammed by public for its handling of projects

May 1, 2019

With four projects having been under the spotlight, there’s recommendations for the council to fix its culture.

Budget issues and unrealistic concepts are just some of the findings of a damning review of Tauranga City Council projects upsetting locals.

Four projects were cast under the spotlight in a review process, and now it's recommended the council fix its culture and focus moving forward.

The new Mount Maunganui surf club infrastructure upgrades, an inner city park and a new inner-city space have been slammed in an independent review.

Consultant Max Pedersen's review was commissioned by the council to find out why there had been so much backlash from the public on the projects.

Project management and budgeting issues were among the findings, as well in consistent consultation and a culture focused on task completion rather than best outcome.

"The report made it fairly clear that we haven't necessarily taken the community with us, and we had it in mind delivering the projects, but we didn't do the right things along the way," Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless told 1 News.

"We accept the responsibility, even if we didn't have the full information we're going to make sure we get it right going forward."

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Residents asked for more openness and communication from council with the public.

"They don't come and apologise, they just go on with the next bloody project," one resident said.

But, the public got their way with one proposed project - the Kulim Park development was halted after a community group fought back.

Going forward, the report recommended a programme that changes the culture of the council so that the community is at the forefront of services and projects.

The public hopes the Mayor sticks to his word when saying the council is going to make sure it gets it right in the future so that upcoming projects are ones the community can be proud of.

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