Last year the Tauranga City Council administration building was finally demolished after a long-winded process of TCC self-justification as to avoid making a few simple repairs and instead embark on an extremely expensive alternative of a huge build instead at some $100 million or so.

Recently the CBD library followed the same track and instead of a few million in repairs, a complete demolish and rebuild at $39 million instead looks most likely.

Meanwhile, the cleared and apparently valuable site has been leased out for $1 and a raft of used and assorted containers have been strewn around in an attempt to encourage something to happen on-site. The consultants are clamouring all over the place trying to conjure up something to happen and ensure that all that intended to be spent is well and truly spent, and some.

The site is just as appealing as the nearby Strand ‘concrete beach' and tidal stairs fiasco, hence the best that could be negotiated is a $1 peppercorn rent. It is a shame that TCC has, as yet, been unable to assimilate and link the rental value with council's occupancy and so achieve a realistic outcome for TCC ratepayers.

I Stevenson, Tauranga.