It's great to see the Otumoetai Schoolhouse arrived safely at the Historic Village on Monday morning.

The green and white building fits in well with surrounding buildings, both colour-wise and size and bulk.

Already expressions of interest of interest in tenancy have been received and there's been an offer by Friends of the Historic Village to assist with foundations for the building.

We have so few older buildings left in Tauranga, so it's good to have the Otumoetai schoolhouse relocate to the Historic Village rather than the potential of it leaving Tauranga or even being demolished.

Parking parity

This article is being written prior to the council meeting to discuss Mainstreet's initiative of a two-hour free parking promotion in the CBD for the next three-four months.

Parking parity has been a hot topic for the last six years that I've been a councillor.

Of concern in the meeting agenda is a report stating: 'demand on parking supply has increased over the past two years…” and 'without an increase in parking stock, the following developments will place additional pressure on existing parking supply: Trustpower and Tertiary Campus (to be confirmed)”.

On September 20, 2012, the council undertook a variation to remove carparking requirements in the CBD to encourage new development.

With regard to parity – this is only offered in the CBD.

At the hearing a submitter, representing the City Centre Action Group, stated the variation wouldn't have any significant negative impacts on the city centre and that council had numerous carpark assets on and off street currently underoccuppied and underutilised.

Councillors are now being advised during the Long Term Plan staff will present reports on the need and timing of additional stock through two options: a third carpark building and/or an additional floor on the Elizabeth St carpark building.

Given council's overarching philosophy is 'growth pays for growth”, elected members will need to have a wider discussion to see if this principle is still applicable as we plan for the future.