The Cost of Improving Porirua Council Chambers

Jenny from Titahi Bay

The Post had an article in the 10th of August edition on this topic, I have been waiting for something to appear on Neighbourly but perhaps it is waiting for the next Kapi-Mana News to appear on Tuesday.
In Public Service Watch by Justin Wong he mentions the following points (abridged by me):
PCC is considering options for its meeting chamber..... to make it 'more accessible and welcoming' for the public.
.... chambers can feel unwelcoming and intimidating for visitors and guests....
Discussions to refurbish and relocate the chamber to the ground floor originally came up in 2017, but the council then decided against the move and opted for a $370,000 upgrade to install audio-visual and live-streaming equipment......
..... and create a space that was 'familiar and welcoming'..... officials also conceded there were downside.
The cost to do so today would be four to six times more than what was estimated on 2017.......
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Sorry Justin but your article is too important to be allowed to just slip past.
Now the PCC is looking at all the options including just titivating the chambers for $26,000.
I would think that the people of Porirua Council catchment area would rather that the money was saved and put towards reducing their rates bill. The person whose job it is to push for this appalling use of ratepayer money, might be better employed elsewhere in the Council or perhaps encouraged into employment some place else with a Council who has money to waste.