Seven councillors supported staff recommendations for Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub at Whakatāne District Council’s Long-term Plan deliberations this week, while four spoke against it.

“I struggle to make any commitment to the Rex Morpeth Hub until our water woes are at least on track to being resolved. And they’re not," Mayor Victor Luca said.

The recommendation was to retain the budget allocated in the draft 10-year plan, to show the council’s commitment to co-funding the project up to 50 percent. This would see a ratepayer contribution of $44 million toward a total project cost of $107.5 million.

A phased approach would mean less than $7.8 million be spent over the first four years of the plan with a stop-go decision-making point in 2027’s long-term plan.

The consultation process brought to light willingness of several parties, including Ake Chartered Accountants, Tūhoe iwi authority Te Uru Taumatua, the Disabilities Resource Centre and existing clubs that own or lease facilities within the hub, to partner with the council on the redevelopment.

Alongside previously considered external funding sources, these could result in ratepayers having to contribute less than 50 percent.

Alongside the mayor, councillors Andrew Iles, Gavin Dennis and Ngapera Rangiaho voted against the recommendation.

Mr Iles said the overriding comment from about 80 percent of submitters was that the council “push pause” on the project.

“All along I have indicated that our core business is infrastructure, and we have so many unknowns confronting us with regards to three waters,” Mr Iles said. “In the current economic climate I don’t support it.”

Mr Dennis said he didn’t agree to spending $7.8 million over the next four years.

“I just think, at the moment, life’s really hard for people out there.”

He was also concerned the list of capital works planned in the next three years didn’t address the leaking War Memorial Hall roof.

Ms Rangiaho described the tone of submitters as “that of your grandparents sitting you down and having one of those life moment conversations”.

She asked for the minimum work to be done until the economy recovered.

Dr Luca talked about last year’s petition initiated by Raewyn Kingsley Smith and the fact most submissions were against the project.

He pointed out the poor quality of Whakatāne’s drinking water and its vulnerability to natural hazards.

“We desperately need an alternative artesian water source brought into this part of the district. I would prioritise that as number one. I’ve been told the cost estimate of that work is around $60 million."

He said he was not opposed to arts, culture and sport.

“If money were abundant, I’d sign off on this in a heartbeat. Money is not abundant."

Councillor Toni Boynton acknowledged the overwhelming numbers of submittors wanting to do the minimum to keep the recreation hub operational.

She felt there was a problem with the council being clear in its communication.

“How it was put forward, it adds more salt to the wound for whānau who are struggling. It also makes it difficult for those who we know champion Rex Morpeth Park. Even though they may be less in numbers they have quite a few thousand behind them.

“I understand that it needs to be in the long-term plan, or else you can’t seek funding.”

She sought assurance that any spending would go toward the essential needs of the recreation hub and suggested seeking a higher amount of external funding and have that confirmed within a set amount of time.

“So, it gives our whānau who are crying out ‘stick to your knitting’, that yes, the knitting will get done, but if you want the jersey, we have a date, within two years whether that goes live or not.”

Councillor Julie Jukes said the recommendation providing a stop-go option showed they had listened to submitters.

“We’re not actually planning on starting the project in this LTP but deferring it. We’re not committing to a massive expenditure now. We’re giving ourselves the option to develop a plan and go out and seek external funding.”

Councillors Wilson James, Nandor Tanczos, Lesley Immink, John Pullar and Tu O’Brien also voted in favour of the recommendation.

The seven to four vote was indicative only with an opportunity for councillors to change their votes at the end of the deliberations, scheduled to finish on Friday.

The $7.8 million of capital works proposed for the next four years.

• Finalise master plan of the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub
• New Reserve Management Plan completed
• Design and consent new sports pavilion (or improvements to Rugby Park grandstand)
• Design, consent (if required) and construct children’s play space (accessible playground for young and old to be considered)
• Design, consent (if required) and construct- outdoor multi-use youth space
• Economic business case
• Formalise car-parking from Domain Road entrance
• Improvements to access between Rugby Park and Rex Morpeth Park
• Install new public toilets
• Remove phoenix palm trees
• Rugby Park - construct north/south cycle way and pedestrian path through area
• Rugby Park – lights, field improvements and relocation (if needed)
• Relevel and install drainage into athletics area
• Rex Morpeth fields – lighting, field improvements and relocation of fields (if needed)
• Rex Morpeth – move cricket wickets and nets (if needed)
• Relocate and increase car parking around Aquatic Centre and new play space
• External funding plan
• Confirm, design and consent WWMH upgrades (pending 2027 LTP decision)
• Secure external funding for WWMH upgrades (pending 2027 LTP decision)
• Increase car parking in other areas of Hub (in 2027-2030 depending on WWMH works).

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.