Matt Cowley Tauranga City Councillor

Everyone is a winner with the New Zealand Transport Agency taking over the ownership of Route K from Tauranga City Council in July.

You get cheaper tolls, NZTA can manage a nationally important route to New Zealand's largest port – and council's finances are stronger.

Yes, that's right – the toll fee will decrease to $1.80 for cars and $4.80 for heavy trucks.

Council increased the tolls to $2 and $5 last July because we were told NZTA was looking at tolls up to $2.

It also gave us extra revenue towards the outstanding $1 million ratepayers are left to pay off following the sale to NZTA.

It's also difficult to find three coins to pay $1.80 – a single $2 coin transaction is simpler.

I believe we've learnt our lesson in regards to the risks Route K put on council. It reemphasises and underscores the importance of smart strategic planning before putting a spade in the ground.

The proceeds of the Route K sale will offset the debt required on critical infrastructure to free up more housing supply to reduce the current shortage.

We've worked hard to ensure there are revenue streams to help pay off this debt, primarily through development contributions.

The goal is to manage the city's current population growth spurt, while managing our risks for an evitable economic downturn within the next decade or so.

These risks are managed by breaking the big infrastructure projects into stages, enabling us to delay future stages if the population growth rates change.

The last day for public submissions on Tauranga City Council's draft Long Term Plan is Monday, April 20. Please visit www.tauranga.govt.nz for more information and help on how to write a submission.

The feedback I've received so far is that we're generally on track, albeit with a few tweaks here and there. Our budget for 10 years is a good balance of affordably progressing the city.

Please indicate on your submission whether you want to present your views in person to elected members. We'll hear submissions in May and make decisions in June.

Feel free to email me your thoughts (matt.cowley@tauranga.govt.nz), call/text me on 027 6989 548, and follow me at www.facebook.com/a.younger.voice.