Simon Bridges National Party MP simonbridges.co.nz

In my last column I gave my view on our unelected Council. After talking housing and transport where I don't believe our new Commissioners can do much other than help me put pressure on Labour, I said this time I'd touch on our dilapidated CBD and then the growth of anti-social behaviour and crime. These are areas where the Commissioners can lead and here I detail the CBD while my next column will tackle the fixes for bad behaviour.

On the CBD, everyone agrees we need revitalisation. And help is on the way with the impressive Farmers build at Elizabeth Street as well as a few other private projects. That said, Council is a crucial piece in the puzzle. What can they do? At least two things.

First, they should decide where the Council's new buildings will be once and for all and make them happen. I'm told a number of private developers won't do anything in the CBD until they've certainty on this. I understand good things are happening in this space; let's hope so and look for practical progress.

Second, Council should lead discussions for the build of a CBD museum. They've the ear of Labour, and with others chipping in like Regional Council and TECT, this can happen now. It doesn't need to be a palace. Other excellent regional museums and galleries have been built in the recent past for $20-30 million.

One other point. After the parking lot debacle, where before the Commissioners' time Council oversaw the stuff up of a significant parking building, let's not revert to doing nothing. More parking is essential if we want mums, dads and business folk coming into town rather than hitting the malls in the rest of Tauranga every time. Build them (correctly) and they'll come.