Editorial: Focus must be change

Inner City Focus Group presentation. Photo / Stephen Parker

Our city is about to embark on a very important debate - should the City Focus be opened to slowing moving traffic?

The idea has come from the Inner City Focus Group, a group of enthusiastic folk who are beavering away to make our central city look sharper.

Their latest idea is to open the City Focus to slow-moving traffic during the day by lifting of traffic bollards and creating lanes using planter boxes.

It will allow vehicles to travel straight ahead at the City Focus intersection on Tutanekai St, in addition to the current left turns.

They say the City Focus isn't good for retailers as it stops vehicles from getting close, partly blaming it on a decline in foot traffic on Tutanekai St between Hinemoa St and Pukuatua St.

The group is to ask the Rotorua District Council's permission at a meeting on Thursday at 5pm to open it up.

Since it was built in 1994, locals have had a love/hate relationship with the odd roundabout of sorts in the heart of our CBD.

Those who don't like it say it's frustrating not being able to drive across Hinemoa or Tutanekai Sts while those for it say it's a great central hub for fundraising groups and special events.

But the City Focus has been a gathering point for the not-so-friendly - I'm talking about groups of louts who intimidate every day shoppers.

These groups aren't as common since the selling of synthetic cannabis was stopped at nearby shops but it has been an issue ever since the City Focus opened.

Comments on our website and Facebook have been mixed, with a majority in favour of leaving the City Focus as it is.

I believe the City Focus can't stay the way it is - it's tired and rundown and something needs to change.

I hope the debate stays constructive and not divisive for the benefit of our city.