Councillor Steve Morris said there was a big six months ahead for his ward. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn March, we\u2019re looking forward to the full opening of the P\u0101p\u0101moa East Interchange, which will save significant travel time for P\u0101p\u0101moa East to Rotorua and Whakat\u0101ne and give residents a head start on the run into Tauranga.\u201d<\/p>\n
P\u0101p\u0101moa ward councillor Steve Morris. Photo \/ David Hall<\/p>\n
He said he was involved in advancing the budget for the P\u0101p\u0101moa East Interchange about seven years ago and was excited to see the project completed.<\/p>\n
\u201cResidents will be watching NZTA\u2019s decision on tolling with great interest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Morris said the P\u0101p\u0101moa Shared Pathway extension from Parton Rd to Taylor Reserve would start and \u201chopefully provide another sea-view platform\u201d.<\/p>\n
The council would try to get the \u201clong-awaited\u201d upgrade of the southern part of Domain Rd into the Regional Land Transport Plan.<\/p>\n
Findings of the engineering report into the Turret Rd bridge<\/a> would also be important to P\u0101p\u0101moa commuters. The council hopes to add a third lane.<\/p>\n He hoped to help return life to normal in the Mount as soon as possible.<\/p>\n Tauriko <\/p>\n Councillor Marten Rozeboom said he planned to work more with NZTA to complete the connection of Kaweroa Drive with State Highway 36.<\/p>\n He also wanted to work with all interested groups to complete Taurikura Drive through to Tauriko Sawmill & Timber Suppliers.<\/p>\n \u201cThese two roading projects may not be approved in 2026, but I will work to keep them in the discussion as roading projects.\u201d<\/p>\n Mauao\/Mount Maunganui <\/p>\n Councillor and Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular* said she was a big supporter of the investment into the Mount College 50-metre outdoor swimming pool.<\/a><\/p>\n She backed better transport solutions for cars, trucks, buses and bikes and for sustainable upkeep for local assets, particularly Mauao and the coastline.<\/p>\n \u201cI will advocate for the Mount Business Association, for the sports and recreation facilities, including surf life-saving, and for major and minor events at the fantastic venues, including Bay Oval.\u201d<\/p>\n *Scoular\u2019s comments were provided before the Mauao landslide. She has been approached for an updated comment.<\/p>\n Te Papa<\/p>\n Councillor Rod Taylor said he was looking forward to the expected completion of the Library Community Hub and the Gate P\u0101 Community Centre this year, among other projects in the ward.<\/p>\n Matua-\u014ct\u016bmoetai <\/p>\n Councillor Glen Crowther said residents in his ward paid \u201ca lot of rates\u201d but had got \u201cless from the council\u201d back into their community over the years than anywhere in Tauranga, \u201cexcept maybe Welcome Bay-Ohauiti\u201d. <\/p>\n He wanted to push for an upgrade of the ward\u2019s only \u201cmajor council facility\u201d – \u014ct\u016bmoetai Pool<\/a> – to make it more accessible and able to be used by more locals. <\/p>\n He said he also wanted to see the Maleme St transfer station<\/a> reopened to the public this year, so western city residents did not have to go all the way to Te Maunga to drop off their green waste.<\/p>\n Arataki <\/p>\n Councillor Rick Curach said his ward\u2019s current issue was many smooth asphalt streets being \u201cruined\u201d by chipseal resurfacing.<\/a> <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m working to find an affordable solution for residents to retain the amenity they have paid to enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n Curach said the recent weather events<\/a> highlighted the need to be prepared for potentially deadly natural disasters.<\/p>\n \u201cTsunami evacuation is top of mind. <\/p>\n \u201cWhile effective phone alerts provide some peace of mind for those in areas of risk, having accessible and effective evacuation routes in place is still a work in progress and something I\u2019ll continue to focus on.\u201d<\/p>\n Bethlehem<\/p>\n Tauriko ward councillor Marten Rozeboom. Photo \/ David Hall<\/p>\n
Deputy Mayor and Mount Maunganui ward councillor Jen Scoular. Photo \/ David Hall<\/p>\n
Te Papa ward councillor Rod Taylor. Photo \/ David Hall<\/p>\n
\u014ct\u016bmoetai ward councillor Glen Crowther. Photo \/ David Hall<\/p>\n
Arataki ward councillor Rick Curach. Photo \/ David Hall<\/p>\n