Elections 24 Summary
PRRA Meet the Candidates Evening (Arataki Ward), 10/6/24
Report by Yvonne Lambert
Nine of the 10 candidates spoke at the last meeting. Anthony Goddard was ill. All outlined their previous experience as business people, ex councillors or within the community. Speaking order was drawn out of a hat.
Teresa Killian – expressed “anger and embarrassment” when the Commissioners were appointed. She said we need “a cohesive, professional and nimble Council with clear communication to rebuild the Council”. We need to closely look at the costs of the CBD. Did not agree with more liquor licences in Papamoa. Said she would resign from her job if elected.
Harris Williams – effective communication needed and listening to what we need. Growth comes with cost and we need to cut costs. Concerned about the future for his young family. Advocated for building a 16 metre high seawall on the coast to mitigate tsunami waves.
Andrea Webster – long connection to Matapihi, involved in sports in the community, 10 years governance experience, understands conflict and resolution.
Rick Curach – ex Councillor but not on the last Council. Long time local Bayfair. Number one is to build respectful relationships, we need mix of experience and fresh faces on the Council. Need to reprioritise projects and spending. Developers cannot get the land to build on. He said that his rates have gone up 342% in 20 years, while wages have only gone up 58% and we have a sad housing situation.
Sarah-Jane Browne, currently a Councillor in Matamata Supports growth alongside protection of environment. Need smart business practices, collaboration and forward thinking, connected transport plans, right development in right places.
Jeroen Van der Beek Long time local, wants value for every ratepayer dollar. Commissioners been “an abject failure”. Runs driver training business, ex diesel engineer. Would do a weekly “open door” meeting if elected. Says he is rational and pragmatic.
Kim Renshaw The “council machine is not engaging with the community”. Must be more genuine, strive for a culture of excellence. Biggest challenge is competing priorities, ratepayer can’t afford it. Need on time and on budget ethos.
Mike Williams 20 years financial advisor, the “money man”, property and business background. Chair Mt Maunganui Sport Club, 1000 members, liaise often with Council. Submits and presents on the Long Term Plan. No accountability from Tauranga City Council staff. Why spending $500 million on city centre? Priority to review the current projects. Questions why staff numbers have gone up from 700 to 1200 at TCC.
Adrienne Pierce Ex councillor Hawkes Bay 2013-2017. Arataki voice is one out of 10, so there are no promises. Says she is not someone who has another job or lives elsewhere. Was Councillor when 5 people died through contaminated water in Hawkes Bay, so knows the importance of communication. Our growth has to be affordable. The city has $380 million income and $1.2 b in debt.
Set Questions to all Candidates from PRRA
Question 1 Tsunami Evacuations Pathways are necessary to provide quick access to the safe refuge of the Papamoa Hills. Tauranga City Council is not actioning this need. What will you do about this urgent need for our community? See the PRRA website for full background information.
Teresa Killian – we need to get the Domain Road upgrade reinstated as part of the evacuation plan.
Sarah-Jane Bourne – protect the dunes. More outside funding is needed.
Andrea Webster - supports need for evacuation routes, consider older and disabled people.
Rick Curach – there will be a tsunami. Need pathways, close onramps to the TEL, put submission into Council, must be an escape
Kim Renshaw – evacuation plan must be a priority
Harris Williams – not a popular idea he says, but build a 16 m seawall on the coast.
Jeroen Van der Beek – asked who can outrun a wave. Lots of untapped roads for escape, eg Bruce Rd, Bell Rd. Council should liaise with landlords for emergency exits through their land.
Adrienne Pierce - nominated Philip Brown to be on the working party for this subject.
Mike Williams – community drive is what we need. Staff to do what told.
Question 2: The outgoing Commissioners have made many major financial decisions, especially with regard to capital expenditure. If you were elected to council how would you change any of these decisions and if so , which ones?
Sarah-Jane Bourne – more outside funding needed.
Rick Curach – wherever the $ come from we need to reprioritise. The CBD is not a priority.
Andrea Webster – review the CBD decisions and the stadium, review the master sports plan.
Kim Renshaw – was chair of Mt Residents and Ratepayers 1 year.
Teresa Killian - stadium cost $90 and not big enough, silly. Live within our means.
Mike Williams – wants to know if we can alter any of the CBD plans or get out of any contracts.
Adrienne Pierce – there are 46 projects in the Long Term Plan. Aquatic Centre alone will be $122 m to build plus running cost of $700,000 per year. This was a quick decision. Tauranga Domain had 55.7% of submitters against and 42% for it, plus there is $21 million to move people out of the Domain.
Jeroen Van Der Beek– says current people in Domain cannot be moved out for 10 years, so the big stadium is moved out at least 10 years. Curious about what new councillors will find. Said the main beneficiaries of the CBD development are the landlords, not the general ratepayer.
Question 3: Can Tauranga sustain the rate of growth requested by the central government?
Teresa – ask Government for the money. We are clever enough to know how to allocate it.
Kim – we have to go up, increase density in the right areas
Andrea – there are Maori land opportunities. We need sustainable growth
Rick – 5 million is enough population total. We have no choice but to accommodate people
Sarah – zone for industry in Rangiuru direction
Harris – need medium density, not Gold Coast style.
Jerone – no Government bullying, we have paid for roads the Government should have paid for. Don’t leave it to central Government./
Mike – go up in the right places and out. Developers should pay more
Adrienne – Medium density best, affordable housing maybe.
Questions from the Floor
To a question from the floor about the tail wagging the dog, Sarah-Jane Bourne suggested there should be strong KPI’s to hold the CEO to account.
All candidates were asked if they would give up their current jobs if elected to Council. All said they would, some would have to give notice, others rearrange their businesses.