The plan for running Whangārei District over the next 10 years has been set.
It includes $34.1 million for stormwater renewals, $50.1 million for sealed road resurfacing, $10.5 million for a new theatre, $4.5 million for community-led development and plenty more.
The 2018-2028 Long Term Plan was adopted at a full council meeting. The adoption confirmed the binning of a proposal which would have seen rates for moteliers increase dramatically, and confirmed plans to seek proposals for a $37 million civic centre.
While the overall feeling around the table was that it was a good document, the adoption wasn't entirely smooth. Councillor Phil Halse moved a failed amendment not to adopt the LTP while it contained $37 million of debt funding for the civic centre.
He questioned how the council could 'pre-judge' the cost of the project.
"As councillors our number one thing is to eliminate risk. This is highly risky - we don't have a site, we don't have detailed plans, terms of reference."
Mayor Sheryl Mai countered that the council had been incredibly prudent and transparent in the plan. She said the project had been set at $37 million, and there wasn't an "open cheque book".
Mai said it was a "comprehensive plan for the next 10 years" but acknowledged things do change.
Cr Sharon Morgan said the council followed a really thorough process - which started with early engagement in 2017. As part of this, the council received more than 1400 pieces of feedback from more than 500 submissions.
The draft plan was then open for formal consultation earlier this year, with the council receiving more than 650 submissions. Morgan was pleased to see more funding for community led projects.
"It can really enable a community to drive projects, sometimes better than we can."
Other councillors were "heartened" to see seal extensions increased to at least a million a year, totalling $11.3 million.
Cr Stu Bell said he felt the council was being "quite unrealistic" in it's view of how much capital works can be done in a year.
"I can't support what is a great plan, but an unachievable one."
The annual total expenditure ranges from $55 million to $92 million. The plan assumes carry forwards of $20 million from the 2017/18 year to the 2018/19 year.
Council CEO Rob Forlong said the council always has a big programme of works and it does it's utmost to complete the list.
"The proportion of the work plan that we complete each year is steadily growing, even though the plan itself expands year by year. Even so, there are always some carry forwards."
Cr Tricia Cutforth said the LTP process was "much improved" but she challenged the council to reach even more people next time. Cutforth also wants to see the LTP be more aspirational for things that don't cost a lot of money.
The full LTP document is available in the agenda section of the council's website.