Tauranga City Council is at it again with its secrecy - this time over its buyout of the speedway contract at Baypark Stadium.
The Bay of Plenty Times yesterday revealed the city has loaned one of its council-controlled organisations, Tauranga City Venues Limited, hundreds of thousands of dollars to take over the
running of speedway events.
Councillors approved the five-year loan, plus interest, at a confidential meeting on April 27.
TCVL says the deal gives the city total control in managing events at Baypark in an integrated way.
This is a good, practical solution. It makes sense to ensure the company can operate the stadium and its amenities in the best way possible.
Having different organisations responsible for different events is likely to lead to a clash in staging shows - something which is not in the best interests of anyone.
The speedway has become a million-dollar business. It has between 14-18 events a season, depending on weather, and attracts an average crowd of 5000, paying between $20 for adults and $45 a family for each meeting.
But why all the secrecy?
Why did Tauranga councillors have to seal this deal in private instead of being upfront and transparent with their bosses - the ratepayers.
Both TCVL and the mayor refuse to say how much money is involved, with Stuart Crosby pointing out that no ratepayer money is involved.
But this is not the point.
The council still reports to the people and any spending of money, no matter where it comes from, should be public information.
This paper reported earlier this month that there was council secrecy over negotiations for a government agency to take over the city's heavily indebted toll road Route K - despite opposition from councillors.
And in April, a council move to keep a key council discussion over how much Tauranga ratepayers will pay for Rugby World Cup activities private was reversed after publicity.
It has been said before and needs to be said again: There is no room for secrecy in this council. Most matters, apart from extreme cases of protecting private individuals or businesses involved in ongoing commercial negotiations, should be in the public domain.
The council only breeds suspicion when it does deals behind closed doors.
