A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.
A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.
Opinion
Gisborne District councillors were updated on GDC’s major projects among reports prepared for the new whole-of-council Operations Committee meeting this week.
Grouped under the “liveable communities” banner are the Titirangi summit project, Titirangi restoration, Puhi Kai Iti (focused now on the 1000-Year Walk Bridge) and the most at-risk project onthe council’s books, a planned $28.5m redevelopment of the Olympic Pool complex that is yet to attract grant funding — and appears to have gone up in cost by about the $5.65m that the council has committed to it.The update for councillors says the concept phase for the pool project is due to be completed in December, with a forecast $400,000 year-to-date spend by then. (About $250,000 was spent in 2018-19.)Councillors will see a full concept presentation early next year. Some will no doubt have felt a chill when their project manager indicated late last month that estimated costs were now “just shy” of $35m.The Titirangi summit project, which attracted a $6.07m grant from the Provincial Growth Fund, has seen the James Cook Observatory building removed, enhancements to the gun emplacement and landscaping works completed. The focus has now shifted to developing concept themes, specifying user requirements and drafting design procurement documents. The aim is to have a concept design approved by all identified stakeholders by May 2020; and it is anticipated that a building on the summit will be completed in early-to-mid 2022.Whaia Titirangi, the weed control programme of the Titirangi restoration project, is progressing well — particularly with regard to senecio and boneseed — says the report. Weed spraying of the walking tracks is a top priority now. The infrastructure side of this project is on hold until signage and furniture designs are finalised.The 1000-Year Walk Bridge has gone to tender and it is anticipated that it will be completed by mid-2020. The update report also says: “The 1000 years of navigations walkway will be an iconic 360° walk-bridge. On a symbolic level the bridge will encompass the lore of whare-wananga, ‘Te Kauwae-raro — Te Kauwae-runga’ (All that is Above — All that is below), the sky and the earth, astronomy and history. On a physical level the bridge will afford its users a birds-eye view of the Puhi Kai Iti/Cook Landing Site as well as the Turanganui river, port and bay beyond as well as the connection to Titirangi, Ruatanuika (lookout) and the summit.”
