I don't think our presence would have altered the outcome of the decision on the proposed new bus terminal, but you never know without hearing the submissions.

Procurement, the way council goes about obtaining services, has been a controversial topic politically this term. It is not purchasing, but the detail of obtaining prices for things like buildings, amenities and services like mowing. No other organisation would publish its forward works programme for the next 10 years; detailed for three years together with anticipated available budget. And we wonder why our crystal ball predictions come true? Talk about shoot yourself in the foot with a machine gun. Of course, there is also the possibility that every staff estimate is accurate, but if I were a contractor to council I would get the 10 year/annual plan document, read the budget amounts and work back from there as a tendering mechanism.

The risk element
The more risk to the contractor, the higher the price. Lowest price tenders aren't always the cheapest either.
Sometimes outside agencies like New Zealand Transport Agency, ‘The Agency', who subsidise roading budgets, specify ‘lowest price conforming' tenders must be accepted. Rick is big on ‘design and build' as a cost saving mechanism and it can work, but you have to have a very tight specification and a reputable contractor. And how do you know the price is competitive unless it's contestable? There is a time and place for everything and the trick is to mix and match according to individual projects. In a large organisation it's difficult to have a one-fits-all policy. There will be a special meeting on procurement in November to review issues and look at new initiatives; all with a view to cost savings. For my six pennies worth, looking at corporate culture is a worthwhile exercise and if we can save a dollar it's worth the effort. But I don't think it's the panacea some elected members are hoping for.
Mayor Stuart Crosby noted some time ago that the process council is required by law to go through is inherently expensive. First we consult, arrange public meetings, discuss, receive submissions, listen to them, comply with all manner of special planning requirements and after all that time a final decision is made. Stuart said this adds up to 20-30 per cent of the project cost.
In a private matter, a decision is made, requirements complied with (without disclosing how much money we've got) and the work is done.
When other contractors miss out, a justification as to why the successful tender was awarded is not needed either. It's all politically correct nonsense, typical of over reaction to the bad old days (a long time ago), when a few contracts were awarded on the old boy network of a wink and a nod. My thoughts revolve around trimming the process significantly, keeping detailed budgets confidential, although grand totals would still be published and leave the smaller projects to staff to get prices. Some small jobs cost as much to process as to do and that is ridiculous.
Obviously some didn't take my advice from a few weeks ago regarding staying home and having a cup of tea if there was a tsunami. Last week's tsunami alert resulted in a right royal stuff up here. There are too few roads out of Mount Maunganui and Papamoa for heavy traffic build up, so if you don't get going early to high ground, you probably won't get out. The shockwaves travel at 600km/h and it's as this shock hits the coast that the tidal wave builds up. So for the next one – get going to high ground.
For Civil Defence, not a good look. Listen to your radio was the message, but there was no local tsunami info until after the predicted time. Enough ratepayer money has been spent over the years to justify a far more professional response. I resist the temptation for comparison with Dads Army but if there had been a tsunami others might have made it. Demonstrating the folly of youth I was on the Coronation Pier circa 1960 when the shockwave from the Chilean earthquakes hit. The tide rushed out and then poured back in; all in a very short space of time. It went from a really low tide to just level with Coronation Pier in about an hour or so. I remember a large bronze whaler shark jammed against a pier pile unable to free itself because of the water torrent. And no, I had no ‘Plan B' if the water kept coming. So I recommend you take seriously the potential danger of living on the coastal plain and assuming you get adequate notice, beat it to high ground pronto.
We will be raising the inadequacies from Civil Defence through council. As for the proposed expense of $400,000 on sirens; at Waihi Beach there was reportedly indecision over their use and then chaos when they were used.

Future planning
The planning future of our city revolves around a proposed 15 lots per hectare yield on urban development.
This is to keep development contributions down. These pay for basic infrastructure like wastewater and stormwater to service the new developments. But it adds to the already high cost of land. So it's only the more affluent who can pay the price. But it does flow on through rents too as house prices increase. Fifteen lots a hectare mean small sections. Not everyone wants a small section and this policy could bring a big city living aspect to Tauranga; where you wake up and shake hands with your neighbour through the window on a new development. If you really want big city living then Auckland beckons – or is it that, that's what people get and not what they want? Not every affluent person is a desirable person and nor is every non affluent person undesirable. We run the risk of an imbalanced community if we don't sort this out. But already home ownership in Tauranga, once a rite of passage for the young, is now out of reach for a lot of young home owning aspirants.
The gate has been left open too long, the city boundaries are restricted; limiting section supply and unsurprisingly, the affordability horse has bolted.
There was a large turnout for a dawn blessing on Wednesday by local Maori kaumatua of the Harbour Link project prior to the flyover opening next Monday. Although it's not a Council project some of us were privileged to attend. An exemplary demonstration by Fletchers of how to run a large project. Under budget, early delivery and minimal disruption to the community. Well done to all involved.
Cr Bill Faulkner.