Lakefront development advisory group discussion gets heated

There are plans for a development of Rotorua's Lakeside. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

A committee member has been told not to get his "tits in a tangle" after raising concerns about local representation on a proposed advisory board for the Lakefront development.

Rotorua Lakes Council's operations and monitoring committee today voted to recommend the council approve the establishment of an advisory group for the next six months.

The group would be tasked with progressing the "masterplan and vision for the development of the Rotorua lakefront", a report to the committee states.

Plans for the redevelopment of the area are out for consultation as part of the council's Long Term Plan (LTP) process.

The council is also consulting on a proposal to create a new Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) to take over the project once the six months are over.

The advisory group's members would include former Auckland Waterfront Development Agency Ltd chairman Sir Bob Harvey, two members of the Gifted Reserves Protocol Committee, and two others.

An application for $400,000 to support feasibility, economic impact analysis and detailed design will be made to the Government's Provincial Growth Fund.

Although most members of the committee were in favour of the recommendation, member Bob Martin questioned why local people were "not given the opportunity" to be involved.

"Why do we have to go to Auckland? Why can't we have our own people?"

Council chief executive Geoff Williams said the challenges of the Lakefront development were not unlike those faced in the development of the Auckland waterfront.

He said Sir Bob had experience in bringing stakeholder groups together.

"All of that experience is sitting there."

Councillor Karen Hunt called the move a "wonderful step in the right direction".

The meeting became increasingly heated, with Martin saying he did not want to lose "Rotorua flavour" with the development, and he was concerned local people had not been consulted.

Councillor Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, who moved the recommendation, said parochialism had "hindered our progress in the past".

"Don't get your tits in a tangle, Mr Martin."

She apologised for the remark after being asked to withdraw it by committee chairman and councillor Charles Sturt.

The recommendation was passed, with Martin voting against it and committee member Potaua Biasiny-Tule abstaining.

Mayor Steve Chadwick and councillor Tania Tapsell were not present at the meeting, being away on council business.

Councillor Rob Kent and committee member Jim Stanton were also not present.

The full council will meet on March 29.