Domain redevelopment turns costly

A significant budget shortfall has forced cutbacks to a second major South Waikato District Council redevelopment project.

A week after the council announced the redevelopment of Tokoroa’s main shopping precinct would have to be scaled back due to being almost $1 million over budget, the upgrade of the Tı¯rau Domain has met a similar fate.

Following extensive public consultation the Tı¯rau Community Board (TCB), which is working closely with the council on the $1,431,008 upgrade project, found domain accessibility was a top priority.

The aim was that no users would be excluded ‘‘whether through disability, decreased mobility due to age, or any other impairments that could reasonably be designed around’’.

But during the council’s December meeting last Thursday accessibility was put on hold.

That’s because there is a

$54,000-$69,000 shortfall. Fears have now been raised that visitors will be seriously injured or killed while walking to access it via State Highway 1.

In order to meet accessibility requirements a ramp from the rail crossing into the Lower Domain will cost an additional

$21,000, a path connecting the Lower Domain to a new Oraka Stream bridge up to $32,000, and a path from the Oraka Stream bridge to a ball games field in the Upper Domain $16,000.

Project manager Walter Williams said there was no denying accessibility options were costly.

‘‘There are three options. One is we don’t consider accessibility any further because it will cost the project more, that is an absolute definite,’’ he said.

‘‘Two is we could commit to making all sections of the domain accessible, and three is commit to building a ramp now but making accessibility in other areas dependent on TCB obtaining extra [non council] funding.’’

Williams warned that putting things off would only see costs rise.

Councillor Bill Machen suggested moving forward with the ramp but holding off on the other aspects until the TCB could come up with funding.

Mayor Jenny supported his view.

Shattock