Tauranga City Council staff are busy preparing the draft 2014/2015 Annual Plan, which is due to be adopted by elected members at a council meeting on March 14.

The draft Annual Plan will then go out for public consultation, with opportunities for the community to make submissions by April 17.

Some of the issues are how involved should council be with regards to ratepayer funding and concessions for a university, marine precinct, events and hotel?

I am sure there will be many submissions on these topics, and items such as the Greerton Library upgrade and the proposed stormwater levy.

Revitalising the CBD

During the years, council has spent millions of dollars discussing different ideas on how to revitalise the CBD. Consultants have drawn up comprehensive plans on what we could do to the waterfront, including the over-the-water proposed museum.

But the horse bolted years ago, when satellite shopping centres sprung up around Tauranga.

Parking parity

I read in the media elected members will be looking at parking parity throughout Tauranga – something which is long overdue.

If there was a cost to park your car on the street (other than the initial outlay for asphalt) then everyone would have to pay, whether they're parked a car on Cameron Rd, at the Mount or wherever.

Debt has occurred mainly through the provision of carpark buildings and also because income from parking has not always been fully utilised to reduce debt in this activity area.

If you want to speak to all elected members via one phone message, at any time, the contact phone number is 985 6171.