Council finished the year with a hiss and a roar with the last full day of providing policy direction to staff for the upcoming District Plan review.

Oh joy! This is where a plethora of new rules will attempt to make the city a better place for all those who may build new property. Pity for those of us who have already built isn't it?
This is an observation on the concept of planning, not a criticism, but it's interesting how almost everyone who enthuses about planning has a very definite view of planning rights and wrongs, good and bad. One property in town is regularly held out as an example of ‘bad' yet it's likely the owner thinks it's just great. So elected members ripped through a raft of planning matters in quick short time. Yet again the Bay Times chose not to turn up.

Study carefully
My advice is to carefully study the drafts when they are out for public consultation as all kinds of things can slip under the radar screen. I remember a few years ago Heron Avenue in Matua that was always to be a link road accidentally got cut in half by mistake in a new district plan. It still is.
Then we got into urban design. The pundits are still trying to get urban design principles into regulation.

Sensible beginnings
Council, myself included, were coaxed into this with promises that it would only be educational and advisory. Examples given were sensible. Stopping shops like Farmers painting out windows, Foodtown's blank walls facing Cameron Road, Noel Leeming's blank walls, Repco at Papamoa don't present a pleasant streetscape and friendly environment. But that's the tip of the urban design iceberg and soon moves were/are afoot to expand the empire, and regulate. And it's all in your best interests – of course.
Some on this council are starting to embrace these principles with alarming enthusiasm and again, if you value your present freedoms, you will be well advised to follow changes that may come in this department.
Elected members got their ‘light' Christmas reading in the form of draft 10 year plans and budgets.

Summer reading
I've had a quick flick through it and it shows a not too pretty picture financially. In a summary, staff state that our financial position is sustainable in the first three years ‘subject to 10 year plan workshops'. That's debateable with rate revenue increases proposed at around 8%.

Sustainable spend?
In an historical breakthrough staff clearly and definitely – and I quote – 'recognise (it is) not financially sustainable medium to long term.” I feel vindicated for my stance during my terms on Council for reduced spending, staying with core services and carefully prioritising services.
It was always clear that diving off into social and leisure activities at the expense of core services – water, wastewater, stormwater for example – was going to take us to this position. So what do we do? We will have to take an electric scythe to the plan. There's no option.
In what must be the hope of the century, staff are suggesting Council 'engage with Central Government to deliver pragmatic and fiscally sustainable plan for Tauranga City”. Good luck!
I read that to be a hope that Government will come to the rescue. With $350m for Harbour Link, $150m JOG money and $100m for the Central Corridor, plus perhaps taking over Route K $50m plus debt, I reckon we've done our dash at the Government begging bowl.

Help unlikely
It's unlikely that we'll get any more help when they've just pulled the pin on reinvesting in Kiwi Rail infrastructure and underdone maintenance. Kiwi Rail it could be argued is integral to NZ's total economy, while Tauranga is a lesser part. So if we're to remain within the $400 million debt level set by Standard and Poors, we've got to get serious about expenditure, which will mean big cuts to this 10 year plan and we'll have to start with this year's annual budget.
Maungatapu roundabout lights have been switched on and designer Barbara Chard is here from the UK to help with the introduction. It's early days and drivers will need time to adjust to paying attention and reacting promptly. These lights are intended to provide relief to the busy part of town until the Central Corridor is complete, which could take eight years. It will be interesting watching to see if Hayden Evans will make good on his quoted promise to resign from Council 'if these lights work”.
So that's it for another year. We've had a hectic year and next year is shaping up to be really character forming. Thanks for the feedback and ongoing support. Thanks to Brian and Claire for The Weekend Sun that provides much needed media balance and a truly free press and to Julie who deciphers my handwriting for you.

Merry Christmas all
A Merry Christmas and happy festive season to you all. No matter what happens financially, we are fortunate to live in such a wonderful part of New Zealand and the world. I'll be back at the end of January. To finish, here's a quotable quote I muse over.
Everything I needed to know I learned from Noah's Ark.
1. Don't miss the boat.
2. Remember we're all in the same boat.
3. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
4. Stay fit. When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big. (They did!)
5. Don't listen to critics – just get on with the job that needs to be done.
6. Build your future on high ground.
7. For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
8. Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were aboard with the cheetahs.
9. When you're stressed, float awhile.
10. Remember the Ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic by professionals. (My favourite.)