23 August 2017
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Jean Batten Square/Inner City Project
Inquiry
I am interested in point 9.4.1 on page 14 of the below agenda. [This was a reference to the minutes of an item from a previous full Council meeting which had become public after being dealt with in confidential. The minutes were on the agenda for the August Full Council meeting and referred to a variation of a contract for inner city work]
I see the report is to remain confidential however given this appears to involve a sum of around $3m, we would like some details around this.
1. What is the variation to the contract?
2. Is the $2,999,899.99 an additional cost added to the contract? If so, what is this to pay for?
Response
From Group Manager Strategy, Jean-Paul Gaston:
Council has approved expanding an existing contract (for the City Focus refresh - Te Manawa - project) to include other planned works in the inner city, namely the extension and development of Jean Batten Square and improvements in Haupapa Street.
There is no additional cost to the original (Te Manawa) contract. The cost of the works which have been added to that contract (Jean Batten Square and Haupapa Street) totals $3m, which has been allocated from existing roading and parks budgets.
These works are separate to, but will enhance, the Library and Child Health Hub project to which the Lakes District Health Board, which will become a long-term tenant in the library building, is contributing.
Jean Batten park is being extended and developed following removal of Community House and will provide a central city park area that will add to enhancements to the library and iSite buildings and will provide a link between the two.
Improvements to Haupapa Street will create a people-friendly space for those using the area and for those using the public carpark in that street. The carpark currently has some long-term parking but is reverting to short-term parking only with a portion to be allocated to those providing and using child health services in the hub.