Stage for Matamata
Civic Centre
What we're proposing to reduce
We’re proposing that to keep costs down, we remove this project from our work programme and maintain the level of service we currently provide.
When we built the Matamata-Piako Civic and Memorial Centre in 2016 we didn’t include a stage, green rooms and dressing rooms to keep the project within budget - but the building was designed so they could be added later. In 2020 the Matamata community strongly advocated for a stage to be included, so we committed to investigating this.
Why are we proposing to reduce funding for this?
We’re proposing that to keep costs down, we remove this project from our work programme and maintain the level of service we currently provide. This project could still be picked up again in future, but we don’t believe it is a priority in the next ten years when we have so many other projects we MUST do.
Remove this project from our work programme
We’re proposing that to keep costs down, we remove this project from our work programme and maintain the level of service we currently provide.
Standard of service this would provide:
No change/same as current service.
Impact on debt:
$Nil.
Average additional operating cost per year:
$Nil.
Average additional cost per property per year:
$Nil.
Budgeted $230,000 in 2026/27 for investigation work and seed funding
We had previously budgeted $230,000 in 2026/27 for investigation work and seed funding – highlighting that if the community wanted this project to proceed, they’d need to raise the funds for the capital work.
Standard of service this would provide:
Improvement to civic centre facilities.
Impact on debt:
$230,000 following completion in 2026/27.
Average additional operating cost per year:
$20,000 following completion in 2026/27.
Average additional cost per property per year:
$1.15 following completion in 2026/27.
Keep the project in the work programme, but defer it a few years.
If the community wishes to see this project go ahead, we could keep it in the plan, but push it out a few years to 2029/30 - the down-side of this being the longer we push it out, the more it is likely to cost due to inflation.
Standard of service this would provide:
No immediate change, with future improvements.
Impact on debt:
$245,000 following completion in 2029/30.
Average additional operating cost per year:
$31,000 following completion in 2029/30.
Average additional cost per property per year:
$1.25 following completion in 2029/30.
Other projects we're proposing to reduce
Te Aroha Spa
We are proposing to continue to explore options to help Te Aroha capitalise on its rich spa history and thrive as a tourist destination.
Additional Playgrounds
We’re proposing that we limit new playgrounds to the planned, new playgrounds in Matamata and Te Aroha to keep costs down.
Roading Renewals
We’re proposing to spread out our road pavement renewal programme over a longer period. We would closely monitor the quality of the road network, and prioritise work to try and keep the roads to the current standard.
Walking & cycling improvements
We’re proposing that to keep costs down, we stop budgeting for new walking and cycling connections, and safety improvements for walking and cycling.
Town centres infrastructure
We’re proposing to prioritise maintaining and renewing the existing infrastructure over doing any major upgrades.
