He questioned how staff had come to prioritise such projects over pedestrian paths and cycleways.
Among the $260 million projects staff proposed to be axed were the indoor recreation centre, plans for a fenced dog park and expanding the Hillcrest Library.
Meanwhile, $249 million would be spent on replacing footpaths, traffic signals, wastewater and either upgrading buildings or furnishings at the council-owned theatres, stadium, zoo, events centre, libraries, pool and cemetery.
There was also a proposal to spend $720,000 at the Claudelands Events Centre on improvements such as air conditioning in the exhibition halls and signs on the gates, which councillors were told were left off the initial budget.
Mayor Julie Hardaker was told ratepayers would be faced with another 2 per cent increase above the projected rate rise to right the council's books within three years.
Councillors spent the first part of the meeting discussing how the council had ended up with such a large debt.
The blame went to optimistic forecasts on development contributions, the $68.4 million Events Centre and the $40 million V8 Supercars event.
Winners and losers
In
*Contribute to new train platform at The Base ($325,000)2012/13
*Peacockes, Rototuna and Rotokauri road works ($6.29m)to 2016/17
*Hamilton Zoo animal enclosure renewals ($1.08m)to 2021/22
*Footpaths replacement ($20.5m)over 10 years
*Hamilton Ring Road to Cambridge Rd ($22.63m)to 2021/22
Out
*Northeast sector pool ($15.8m)to 2018/19
*New indoor recreation centre ($22.6m)to 2016/17
*Northeast library development ($12.78m)to 2017/18
*Fantasy Gardens at Hamilton Gardens ($1.045m)2021/22
*Rototuna sports park development ($12.256m to $12.26m)2021/22
Not a complete list.
