Greerton's hopes of getting a new library have been dashed after the council today responded to pressure to sort out the city's flood problems first.
The $3.3 million project to double the size of the old existing library will now have to take its chances when the council reconsiders the project next year.
It had been planned to fund the new 900 sq m building without hitting ratepayers' pockets by selling neighbouring shops bought to make way for a new library and from $1.8 million of development contributions.
But the council decided 7-4 not to proceed with the project this year. Most were persuaded by the impact of the storm that flooded areas of Mount Maunganui and Matua six weeks ago.
Mount councillor David Stewart led the debate against using the $1.3 million proceeds from the sale of the shopping block to help fund the library.