Editorial: Eat Streat right to plump for best offer

By this summer, Rotorua will be enjoying a new all-weather outdoor dining experience at Eat Streat and, personally, I can't wait.

Eat Streat is already a fabulous and favourite hangout for dinner or a few drinks - or both. But admittedly I change my mind about going if the weather isn't looking flash.

Work has started to build a covered central walkway with retractable roofing and underground heating and additional lighting.

It sounds fabulous - and so it should be because it's costing us $2 million.

But district councillor Mark Gould is critical of the council awarding the contract to the Tauranga branch of Auckland-based firm Watts and Hughes, saying he was disappointed the contract was not awarded locally.

He is right when he says jobs locally are scarce and yes, a Rotorua company would have done well to get this contract.

But, clearly their prices weren't sharp enough. As a ratepayer, I'm thrilled the council has gone with the better offer. That's what we expect from a tendering process.

Council Inner City Enterprises manager Nick Dallimore is reported as saying Watts and Hughes provided the best price and has the ability to work well with other parties, and on time and on budget. They will also employ local sub-contractors.

I'm glad they've employed someone who will get the job done on time. None of us want to be sitting down at Eat Streat come Christmas enjoying a meal and a drink while contractors are still hammering away trying to get the job finished.