Many people turned up on Sunday evening for the last time to enjoy a meal at Bureta Park Motor Inn.

I also called into the pub last Friday night. There was hardly room to move, with regulars sharing memories and looking at photographs taken during many years. These types of iconic establishments provided an opportunity for people to catch up with friends and family in their neighbourhood.

The site is to be redeveloped into a Countdown Supermarket.

New beginnings – Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL)

I took the opportunity to attend the recent family open day and walk across the new Kaituna River Bridge, the longest bridge (186 metres) on the TEL. The TEL is at the half-way point of a five-year programme, with completion due in late 2015.

Much of the 23km highway has taken shape, with some of the structures in place and earthworks completed. Three-minute helicopter rides at $30 were popular and a great way to get an overview of the project. The NZ Transport Agency had a large marquee set up on-site with timelines and other information about TEL. This included computer graphics on a large screen, giving a bird's eye view of the project.

Tauranga City Council has financial commitments relating to TEL. As at January 31, 2013, the council has spent $3,894,000 towards water main relocation, ocean outfall pipeline and storm water pipe upgrades under TEL.

Future TCC commitments, under a TCC/NZTA agreement totalling $15,582,000 include: water main upgrades, ocean outfall upgrade, storm water pipe upgrade, Maranui wetland and Mangatawa drain upgrade; Maranui swale overflow culverts under TEL, Pond H culverts under TEL, Mangatawa interchange north and south of railway. A subsidy sought from NZTA amounts to $3.2 million.

TCC-related roading projects include: Sandhurst Drive extension (north of TEL), for $5900 in 2014/2015; stormwater in Sandhurst Drive extension (north of TEL), for $1.25 million during 2014/2015; Domain Road upgrade costing $7.4 million between 2015/2017; and a Tara Rd upgrade with a $10.8 million price tag in 2015/2017. Dates and budgets are subject to the annual plan process, as designs and costs can change.
Part of the Tauranga Eastern Link.

Cars vs urban space

At Tuesday's council meeting, it was decided to go out to the community for feedback on a proposed ‘urban space' area at the Mount, currently where the Phoenix Carpark and Mount Mainstreet office are located along Maunganui Rd. The loss of carparks will be a key consideration from my perspective. I believe that parking must be taken into account before a decision is reached on future use of this area (including status quo option). A component of the resolution is for the community to be involved in developing their ideas and designs for this space. This will be consulted on during the annual plan process, with council deliberations next June.

To share or not

Council received a petition from residents living at Harbour Drive, Otumoetai, to retain Harbour Drive path as a footpath. Another three residents spoke in support of the path being a shared one, for cyclists and pedestrians.

Council agreed to shared use and will be changing the bylaw accordingly. Whether the path is widened to three metres or not will be considered during the annual plan budget process next year.