Tauranga residents present petition opposing council's Cliff Rd museum plan

An architectural sketch showing how a museum might sit on the Cliff Rd site. Image supplied/TCC

About 15 residents of Cliff Rd and surrounding streets came out in person today to present a petition opposing Tauranga City Council's proposal to build a museum on the Tauranga street.

The petition, signed by 28 residents, was presented to a meeting of the council's city transformation committee this afternoon.

The residents want the parkland left open and green for future generations to enjoy and have complained about the impact a museum would have on their lives.

The council has earmarked most of the Robbins Park Reserve north of the rose gardens for the museum.

The proposed museum site on Cliff Rd. File photo

Presenting on behalf of the petitioners, Cliff Rd resident Lorraine King made an impassioned plea for the council to rethink its decision.

Residents wanted to see the city move forward but feared the proposal would have a "huge impact" on their quality of life, she said.

They worried they would lose privacy as well as valuable green space.

She said they were open to a "walking museum" with native planting, walking paths and information boards that honour the history of the area.

"Do not overtake the area with a concrete jungle," she said, prompting applause from watching supporters.

Non-voting committee member Buddy Mikaere queried whether any green space would be lost, saying the footprint of the museum would most likely sit over a disused bowling green and existing car parking.

King said residents were eager to see more specific information about where the proposed building would sit.

Committee chairman Larry Baldock said the council was not at that stage of the design work yet, but noted turning the street into a "concrete jungle" was the "farthest thing from our minds".