THERE are rumblings in city hall. Rumblings of discontent among councillors disturbed by an "undemocratic" decision-making process and increasing costs associated with the city's new vistor information centre, to be built on Taupo Quay. With work under way on the project, and it having already been through a process and approved bycouncil, ratepayers may well ask why are these councillors speaking out now? Has this horse not well and truly bolted? The mayor argues that those who object are merely miffed because they were on the losing side of the vote. He misses the point. Costs of this project have escalated in an alarming fashion, from the original estimate which started at $1.03 million - borrowed - then was revised to $1.56 million and the accepted tender was $2.03 million. Some of the costs will be offset by leasing the cafe and other measures, but not all. And now new costs are being piled on top with the council stumping up to move the Tram Shed so the space can be used for parking. This was not included in original projections and Doug Rolston, who started the venture, estimates the cost of the shift at $1 million, certainly not insignificant. Almost 60 per cent of respondents in Referendum'09 voted to relocate the Visitor Information Centre. One of the criteria was that the total cost not exceed $1.1 million. One wonders how that vote might have changed given the burgeoning costs and the shunting of the Tram Shed to another location. And that is the critical point: how much have the people of Wanganui been kept informed of developments? Key discussions and decisions were kept secret. And the councillors who expressed their concerns to the Chronicle argue that correct procedure was not followed in revisiting the centre as recently as at a March 26 meeting, removing their chance to act on behalf of their constituents. Sure, the visitor centre as proposed will be an asset to Wanganui, but is it something the city - in which 70 per cent of residents earn below the national average wage - can afford? The councillors were right to speak out. The city's coffers are not overflowing in abundance, and surely the democratic process is worth protecting.
