Tauranga Chamber of Commerce has come out in support of the new downsized version of the $7.5 million redevelopment of the Mount Hot Pools.
The scaled-down version was unveiled at last week's confidential mediation conference between the council's pools company, Tauranga City Aquatics, and objectors to the redevelopment.
Chamber chief executive Max
Mason said the plans still included the wellness centre, but have been revised to address concerns relating to the redevelopment's scale, height, impact on green space and parking.
Mr Mason joined the city's other economic development agencies in highlighting the economic opportunities offered by the redevelopment, saying it will future-proof the pools and become a major tourist attraction.
"This is about progress and development in our city ... Tauranga is a growing city and by embracing such positive developments we are stepping up to the plate," he said.
The Mount Hot Pools are the only geothermal hot salt water pools in New Zealand. Mr Mason said that when they were redeveloped to a world-class standard they would be a great drawcard for tourists including cruise ship passengers.
Tourism Bay of Plenty and Priority One have also come out publicly at a critical stage in the planning process of the hot pools redevelopment following commissioner Greg Hill refusing to issue resource consent for the project.
Opponents of the health and wellness centre component of the redevelopment have noted that Tourism Bay of Plenty and Priority One are partly funded by the city council. The chamber also receives council funding.
Tauranga City Aquatics has appealed Mr Hill's decision. A mediation hearing tried to reach a solution on the issues without the need for a full hearing of the Environment Court.
