Working group draft hub’s future
Discussions on the development of Tokoroa’s Leith Pl will be ready for voting on in October.
The newly established working group will review submissions from 153 people with an aim to come up with two options.
The group will decide whether to come up with a detailed plan on the development or to look at the cost saving option of revamping the business hub instead.
Mayor Neil Sinclair said council is keen to begin the physical work in early January if stage one of the development is given the green light.
Unsure of how a decision can be made without a budget for stage 2 and 3, deputy mayor Jenny Shattock questioned the process.
‘‘We need to know where we want to go so we can get there. Are we doing this right then?’’
Councillor Bill Machen said he was undecided if the major development should go through.
He said access routes and signage should be looked at first to get an idea of cost.
‘‘I am still stuck between two horses on this.
‘‘I still believe they can come back with a minimal plan on what they believe the right plan should be.
‘‘We’ve got to be careful we make the right decision.’’
Bruce Simpson told council at the hearing that there was no concrete evidence to prove the upgrade would make visitors spend money.
‘‘We don’t know the breakdown in time of the vehicles passing Tokoroa. It’s a key critical factor to spend five million.
‘‘If fifty percent is passing outside business hours it’s worthless to us. If they’re passing eleven o’clock at night, that doesn’t count to service these businesses.