Hamilton River Plan saved

A plan to transform Hamilton’s riverside including a pedestrian bridge and restaurants and cafes on the water’s edge has been resurrected thanks to a Hamilton city councillor’s successful push for $1.25 million of capital funding at a recent council meeting.

During budget discussions for the 2017/18 draft annual plan, councillor Taylor successfully put up a motion for $1.25 million in capital funding to be allocated for Hamilton River Plan.

An amendment put up by councillor Dave Macpherson to reduce that spending to $250,000 was lost and Taylor’s motion passed 8-5.

Until Taylor put up the funding, there was no capital expenditure allocated to the River Plan whatsoever, despite the previous council adopting it as a formal plan.

Taylor who campaigned for council on making the River Plan a reality, said all the previous support for the plan meant nothing if there were no dollars to make it happen. The March 7 debate was virtually the last opportunity for that to happen in 2017/18.

Taylor said part of the reason for his motion was to match a $1 million donation put up last year by Donny Trust through Momentum Foundation. Taylor said he felt the council’s response to Donny Trust’s generosity had been “luke warm” which went a terrible message to other potential funders.

“We should be welcoming such funders, not ignoring their generosity.”

“This funding demonstrates that common sense has actually prevailed and we are right behind this project and we will match their goodwill and generosity with our own commitment. And our continued capital funding will encourage other organisations to step forward and get involved.”

“Donny Trust deserves to have an indication from us that we mean business with this project.

“This city also deserves an indication from this council that we are committed to this project in the long term.”

“Now is the moment when as a new council, we need to reassert our commitment to the River Plan. So no more prevaricating, let’s show some guts and commitment and get on with this project.”

Taylor said getting the initial funding through would make a huge difference to the project. With in effect, $2. 25 million now available for capital expenditure, it would create a momentum which should ensure future investment. Once residents saw the plan start to take shape they would get even more excited by it, he said.

“The River Plan can be progressed sensibly and stage by stage over 15 to 20 years with a mixture of ratepayer, business and philanthropic funding. If we get the River Plan right it has the power to transform the city of Hamilton.”

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