Greerton's on again, off again library re-build is off again for now – in spite of the majority of the seven new councillors' pre-election promises that they'd support the long-awaited extension.

Even Tauranga City councillor, Bill Grainger, who was on the Greerton Library's working party with the previous council, choked at the vote on Thursday.

Greerton Library.

When Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby moved the council approve the library expansion plans for inclusion in the Annual Plan process, Deputy Mayor Kelvin Clout was his only supporter.

The rest of them hemmed and hawed, saying they were all in favour of it, but just wanted staff to look at a few things – like including a community centre, and re-examining the library relationship with the Greerton Village Hall, all of which, as Stuart Crosby said in his right of reply, have been already been covered.

In the end the issue was left without a decision. Staff will prepare a Greerton Library Dossier, containing the story so far, including all explored options and updated costings for councillor reading during the holiday break.

The council will revisit the issue in January.

In the 2013/2014 Annual Plan, the previous council agreed to demolish the existing library and replace it with a 900m2 library facing onto the village green. The library project was later put aside because of a flooding issue.

The current recommendation is a total budget of $3.45 million, and seeking additional funding of $1.6 million in capital expenditure from the 2014/2015 Annual Plan budget.

The additional cash is to come from $220,000 in development contributions and a $1 million rate-funded load.

A decision will also start the sale process for 137 Greerton Rd, with proceeds to offset the rates funded-load and debt servicing costs.

As is admitted by councillor John Robson, the library expansion is an integral part of the Greerton Village Plan, which subsequent councils have failed to deliver on since it was signed off 17 years ago.