Cr Bill Faulkner Faulkners Corner www.sunlive.co.nz

There is no truth to a rumour that some downtown retailers have approached Steve Crow to organise an annual parade to replace the defunct Orange Festival parade.

Thanks to a media fuelled free promotion, some 3000 people reportedly turned out (I was at a TECT Park meeting at Barkes Corner and didn't witness first hand) to watch the ‘parade' and the ‘entertainment' provided by about 40 protestors scuffling with police.

It's hard to figure motives when it's those opposed to the parade who are the ones requiring police intervention. Murray Guy and Bill Grainger reportedly had a look at the crowd, but not the parade. Apparently they had considered leading the parade on their motorbikes as a protest, but kept a low profile in light of the turnout. Some retailers along the route had the best day's takings in months. Many people enjoyed a day out of the ordinary. College students were there (no doubt for research only) but it was only the boys who were reported. The Girls' College students had a mufti day so went unreported. From a council perspective, council couldn't be seen to condone this. The protestors played into the hands of Mr Crow and media manipulation. Trying to stop the parade, had it succeeded, would have been the icing on Mr Crow's cake. It reminds me of the days of six o'clock closing and the beer barons surreptitiously funding the well meaning people of the temperance league. For next year the message is that no protest equals no publicity means no public reaction means parade will fizzle – just like the Orange Festival did so many years ago.

Selling the silver?

Sale of so called family silver assets, but not core services like water, will be seriously considered if elected member preliminary discussions come to fruition in the ongoing three year/Ten Year Plan meetings. Of course, all decisions will come to you for consultation when draft proposals are made. There will be wails, screams and gnashing of teeth from some, but they will need to also outline their options. Many are expert at telling the problems, including a few elected members, but are short on acceptable solutions to the majority. We are at the end of the line financially so asset sales have to be in the mix. There looks like a shortfall of about $30 million in development contributions over the next 10 years. Guess where that will have to come from.

Forwards into the black

Negotiations are ongoing with central government over Hairini Link and Route K and a successful outcome will ease the debt envelope. Even though it's serious, at least the financials are well managed and controlled.

At TECT Park Committee a proposal for a Bush Railway and Old Sawmill was received. Enthusiasts from Rotorua say they have the money, gear and enthusiasm to put it in.

Staff will report on implications, but Murray Guy, fresh from the parade, spoke fiercely against.

New arena looking rosy

An update from Tauranga City Venues Ltd (TCVL), which runs Baypark Stadium and will run the new TECT Arena. Previously known as Indoor Sport and Recreation Centre, this new amenity is a real stunner. TCVL has purchased the speedway promotion rights and will be taking over the catering as well in a joint venture. Details are confidential at present, but have been financed with a council loan, interest bearing at commercial rates. There is no rates funding for the stadium, but the new arena will get ratepayer subsidy for construction loan of $25 million and operations. Council aims at an around 20 per cent user fee component initially. This went to community consultation and was negotiated with user groups. Bookings for the arena are pouring in and plans are afoot for an upgraded stadium operation. Already there are more big time rugby events coming and a new speedway manager has been appointed. Plans are for a revamped speedway operation. There are still issues to be addressed like a walkway around the oval, but TCVL say they are on to it. Baypark will be a great attraction for the food, beverage, accommodation and entertainment industries in our city.

Golden methods

It's been 20 years since Tauranga struck up its Sister City relationship with Yentai in Shendong province in China. Celebrations planned in Tauranga commence next week. China is now New Zealand's second biggest trading partner and the Yentai relationship has been an easy fit with Tauranga, even though they have a population of six million. Like the world over, most people just want to get on with life and Yentai is no different. It's a modern Chinese city, but with a laid back lifestyle. Beijing is the older cultural centre and Shanghai the bustling commercial centre. The relationship is now more business orientated, but we still maintain good personal relationship too. (One great thing about Chinese culture is punctuality – an 8pm finish for a function means that – 8.01pm and there's only Kiwis standing around!)

Poolside blues

At projects and monitoring there was another presentation from Tauranga City Aquatics Ltd on the Mount Hot (Saltwater) Pools proposal. TCAL highlighted that the proposal for an expanded operation was in line with council's objective of a nil rates subsidy for aquatics (presently $2 million). The short term objective is to get the pools operating again while planning issues are sorted. This (surprise, surprise) will take a while, we were told.

Interesting bits fall out of these discussions and it was relevant to hear that the vacant land behind the complex, adjacent to the Palm Tree, is only used over Christmas to store camper's trailers. For the rest of the year it's vacant. If sustainable use of resources is not selective then it would be a good idea to convert it to a proper car park for the pool as well and use it all year round.

Instead of a mindbender this week, here's some one liners from (unnamed) elected members (not me!) referring to the RMA as the Resource Mongrel Act.

Discussion on Meatloaf concert someone said: ‘I'll do anything for love – but I won't do that' to which came an instant reply: ‘Two out of three ain't bad.' (Both Meatloaf songs).

During TCAL discussions someone asked if TCAL stood for ‘The Company Ain't Listening'. – Oh dear.