Ross Prestidge Profile
I am a third generation resident of Tauranga, married 33 years to Elaine, residing in Maungatapu raising three graduate children. I have long advocated the nearby Welcome Bay underpass planned 25 years ago.
My past local involvements are Ratepayers Association, School Committee, and running for TDC.
I have been involved with Tauranga Rotary’s Easter book sale for 20 years. I am the Club’s Public Relations Officer.
If elected I will vote against the Museum over the water and support the cheaper Southern Pipeline Devonport Road option.
We must control our free spending council. Back to basics, roading and essential infrastructure before luxuries such as stadiums. EBOP Headquarters to remain in Whakatane.
We must use all available sources of funding including vigorously lobbying government to build the Welcome Bay underpass, as they have the Harbour Bridge, because this proposed underpass is under Government owned State Highway 29.
Ross at this years Rotary Convention with his oldest daughter Abigail (Director of Design Engine Architects Ltd), and wife Elaine. Abigail is a Tauranga ratepayer.
THE WELCOME BAY UNDERPASS
 Mine is a genuine promise and commitment. I have lived with my family in Maungatapu for thirty-three years and we have regularly experienced peak traffic congestion and watched it grow. Provision for the underpass was put in place when the state highway was built, and the only real reason it has never been completed is because Tauranga has for many years not been a Labour or National seat.
Surely Winston Peters will make it another condition of future coalition agreements in next year’s general election just as he did Harbour Link in 2005.
TCC did not use common sense; they put back the toll plazas.
The local N.Z. First Branches simply asked Winston to do it, how simple is that!
Transit N.Z. is now paying for Harbour Link (the second harbour bridge) not tolls or the ratepayer.
Transit N.Z. must pay for the Welcome Bay Underpass; State Highway 29 is a central government responsibility.
Using your money by way of Local body rates is not the answer.
The John Cronin/Andrew von Dadelson selling off Port of Tauranga shares to probably fund this project and other state highway roads is totally crazy, and must not be contemplated.
No doubt Bob Clarkson, if he is politically savvy will match the Minister of Foreign Affairs next years pre-election promise.
As with the second harbour bridge and Hewletts Rd in 2004, TCC and it’s strategic partners can start immediately on this underpass, (although it could be put to open tender) then after the 2008 election Central Government pay the cost out of the now 100% petrol tax that is dedicated solely to roading.
A tunnel is also the best Environmental option; as it will remove the gridlock we are currently stuck with.
Clearly after a thoughtful analysis it can be seen state highway 29 is a central government responsibility.
Recent Letter to the Editor
Where are EBOP Chairman, John Cronin, and the sitting Regional Councilors voices regarding the Whakatane headquarters move to Tauranga? They are all being very quiet about their ballpark cost figure of $23 million. To date there is no specific Tauranga site or finalized building plans.
As TCC and EBOP guesstimates are usually optimistically far too low, the final overrun blowout figure for ratepayers could be $35/40 million.
This proposed move to Tauranga is being challenged by the Whakatane District Council in the High Court at a cost of $50 000 to the Whakatane ratepayer. Rotorua City Council has pledged $80 000 towards the High Court cost and Opotiki District Council has pledged $5000 to stop this as yet unpublicized folly.
Former Regional Councillor, Karen Summerhays in her letter last week had the strange proposal that the transfer go ahead then Tauranga ratepayers subsidize the Whakatane economy.
The proposal includes hopefully selling $9 million dollars of land in Whakatane, $8 million dollars of land in Tauranga at Sulphur Point and raising a $10 million dollar loan. A 100 Whakatane staff are to be re-located in Tauranga.
I defy John Cronin to come up with valid reasons as to why the present structure is not currently working perfectly as it stands.
Ross Prestidge.
Maungatapu.
Griffin solution the way to go - Published in The Weekend Sun
The letter “Let’s not dismiss potential great offer” Friday 30 March is long in length and short on logic. Former Team Tauranga candidate, political wannabe, Mike Baker has convinced only himself that the purchase of Baypark on top of the museum and art gallery budget blowouts makes good financial sense.
The way to go is that suggested by Allan Griffin (No-cost stadium solution) and others; just do nothing and let Bob the self-confessed philanthropist carry the can.
Does Cr Murray Guy (“Inaccurate and insulting letter” Friday 9 March) still think Mike Baker is right? After his lengthy violent outburst, the Tauranga City councillor is now strangely silent. I suspect the councillor has read all the recent Weekend Sun letters and will very quietly just change sides and find something else to grandstand on about. Mike Baker needs to also. Remember your slogan, Mike; “Essential services before expensive luxuries.”
Ross Prestidge, Tauranga.
Letter to the editor BOP Times Thursday 13th September
New Talent On Offer.
I recently had the pleasure of hearing addresses by seven new candidates for the city
Council elections.
(Almost) without exception, they grasped the needs and dislikes of our community.
They recognized the need for basic infrastructure development and the absolute folly of the museum project at a time when basic services need upgrading.
These people represent a talented pool that should make our sitting councilors wish they had put in more effort over the past three years.
Ross W Ogle
Greerton.
Notes:
- Ross Prestidge spoke as a candidate at that meeting.
- 7.00pm Selwyn Ridge Primary School, Holmburn St, Welcome Bay. 31st August.
- Both sitting councillors (present incumbents) Mary Dillon and Anne Pankhurst failed to appear – sent in very lame excuses.
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