$10 Hamilton Gardens entry
A$10 entry charge for Hamilton Gardens has been signalled at Hamilton City Council – but it was a close call.
Mayor Andrew King used his casting vote to break a
6-6 voting deadlock and put the charge out for public consultation.
A pruning of King’s proposal for 13 new gardens back to four was less contentious.
Councillor Geoff
Taylor chopped the $18.3 million plan back to
$9.3m, with a continued targeted rate, and won unanimous support.
King had proposed a $25 entry fee for the themed gardens, chargeable to all non-Hamilton residents older than 18.
Friends of the Gardens members wouldn’t have to pay, he said.
Councillor Dave Macpherson proposed dropping the charge to $10 and putting the income straight into the Gardens budget.
It’s unfair for Hamiltonians to fund the Gardens when those outside the city borders ‘‘don’t pay a brass razoo’’, he said.
The fee could be collected in the Gardens shop, without extra turnstiles and buildings, he said.
Councillors regularly gripe about Hamilton facilities being used by outsiders, King said.
‘‘I hope I never hear again, if that [charge] doesn’t happen, the talk of people coming into our city and using our facilities at our expense, because this is a chance to actually do something about it.’’
Volunteers from Friends of the Gardens have staffed the information centre for 23 years, president Virginia Graham had told councillors during a public forum on Wednesday.
Several said they would resign if they had to assess entry charges.
‘‘Volunteers are there at the start of what we hope will be a memorable experience for our visitors, not to make judgments on age and residency,’’ she said.
In debate, Cr Paula Southgate said there was no evidence the charge would bring more money in, just that it would reduce visitor numbers.
The entry charge debate led to a hung vote.
Voting no were Crs Mark Bunting, James Casson, Siggi Henry, Angela O’Leary, Paula Southgate and Geoff Taylor.
King broke the lock with a casting vote in favour of the charge.
Taylor’s proposal to rein in the spend and focus on four new gardens was more widely popular.
‘‘My sense is that there has been a lot go on at the Gardens in recent years.
‘‘We can slow things down a little and also save some money,’’ he said.
‘‘Rather than all 13 [new gardens], let’s put up a bit of money so that they can start work on the first four.’’
He also wanted to keep the existing $10 targeted rate instead of having an entry charge.
Councillors voted unanimously for Taylor’s suggestions.
‘‘My sense is that there has been a lot go on at the Gardens in recent years. We can slow things down a little and also save some money.’’
Councillor Geoff Taylor