Andrew von Dadelszen Former Regional Councillor

Dear oh dear – when I called for vision from Tauranga City Councillors, it was not for a knee jerk decision to suddenly consider a ‘Big Screen' for The Strand. That opportunity was long gone, but if local bars want to band together to do so then that will be their commercial decision.

No, I am looking for councillors to recognise that once again they missed a huge opportunity, but they need to get some vision for the future. As I said, the ‘Nay-sayers' will always oppose spending ratepayer funds, but sometimes you have to pre-invest to get strong long-term economic benefit for our city.

Enough is enough

There are times when councillors should say ‘enough' and never more so than for our regional councillors when they review the Quayside directorship remuneration at the upcoming Quayside AGM.

In my editorial on August 12, I highlighted the outrageous fees Quayside Directors get paid and low and behold the 2011 accounts have now been released and independent directors Michael Smith (Tauranga) and John Green (Rotorua) each voted themselves a $4000 increase to $91,000 and $75,000 respectively. Of course Michael Smith also got a further $49,000 as a Port of Tauranga director.

And all this at a time when Quayside Holdings reported a net profit after tax of just $57.1m.

I say ‘just' because the Port of Tauranga has previously announced a stunning net profit after tax of $58.4m. This indicates that the Quayside Group made a net loss after tax of $1.28m (to be fair this included a revaluation loss on its property investments of $5.13m). I note that regional councillor directors Jane Nees and Jim Mansell didn't get a fee increase (receiving $53,000 each annually – on top of their regional council salaries) but this result doesn't justify these rates of director remuneration – let alone the $4000 increases for Michael Smith and John Green.

The level of director remuneration is a matter for regional councillors to set and ratepayers should demand that our elected regional councillors protect ratepayers funds and dramatically reduce this total remuneration pool. I would suggest that based on Quayside's performance during the last three years, it should be halved.

If you have a view on these or any other local government issues, I invite you to email andrew@vond.co.nz