Rotorua bus hub move among city changes

* Bus stop could move * New BMX track * 3% rates rise to target debt

A proposal to move the Pukuatua St bus stop is one of a number of new ideas the Rotorua District Council will consult the Rotorua community about in the coming months.

Also on the council's radar is the possibility of developing an international standard BMX track on the Waipa side of the Whakarewarewa Forest and a residential renewal programme.

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick and council chief executive Geoff Williams spoke with the Rotorua Daily Post this week, saying it was important for the community to get involved in the upcoming programme of consultation.

Mrs Chadwick said she had a number of ideas regarding locations for a new bus stop, but wanted to hear what the Rotorua community had to say about it.

"Having a vibrant city heart is key to changes in our CBD and as part of that I'd like to see the bus stop relocated to a more modern, effective and better looking transport hub."

She also said current bus routes were cumbersome and needed a re-think in consultation with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, which runs the public transport system in Rotorua.

"We want to be able to support inner city businesses and the travelling public and make sure people have the choice of getting on a bus if they have to travel more than a couple of blocks.

"My aim is to see more people throughout the inner city and more people using public transport."

Regarding residential renewal, Mrs Chadwick said she was concerned with derelict houses and properties throughout Rotorua.

"We want to bring back a sense of pride with consultation with the wider community and want to know how we can stop this."

Mrs Chadwick said discussions were already under way to build an international standard BMX facility, including a brand new track near Waipa.

Further details regarding this would be released in the coming months.

The pair said ratepayers could expect more realistic rates increases this year to help pay for rising council debt, which was a priority message Mrs Chadwick heard during her election campaign.

"This will be around the 3 per cent mark," Mr Williams said. "We will also be looking at changes to the business [rating] differential and our capital works expenditure," Mr Williams said.

He said he was also working with council staff to streamline the organisation to align itself with the mayor's 2030 vision and three-year-term goals for 2016.

"We have to take stock of all of our activities. We also need to ask the question, can we work more closely with the community and private sector?

"I do believe we have we have the right people here who are very capable and talented, but not necessarily in the right roles," he said.

This year's round of council meetings begins on Wednesday, when councillors will discuss changes to the capital works programme, a timeline for the upcoming annual plan process and, in a confidential session, possible changes to the organisational structure of the council.