LETTER: Mayor's No2 lashes out at council spree | Auckland Opinion | Local Voices from Auckland, New Zealand

Councillor Grant Gillon states that the North Shore City Council had earmarked $1.5 million towards the restoration and development of the old Takapuna Library. The Auckland Transition Agency declined the funding because they said the project was not in the Long Term Council Community Plan.
To the contrary, work required to fund and develop an Exhibition Space at No.2 the Strand Takapuna is mandated through the following City Plan 2009-2024 statement "Arts strategy implementation years one to three: develop a civic exhibition & heritage space project in collaboration with a Trust."
The Shore Exhibition Trust was constituted and project - funded by the North Shore City Council in 2008/9 and has already received some funding and an ARST cultural funding grant for this project.
The library was gifted to Takapuna City for a library and other associated activities, and has a B rating which recognises both its architectural and heritage values.
The trust intends to restore its original light and airy space, providing the necessities for exhibiting prestigious art from the many thousands of items held in storage at the Auckland Art Gallery and for travelling exhibitions from New Zealand and abroad. The space will also be available for receptions and concerts.
For many years the North Shore has lacked such a centre, comparable to West Auckland's Lopdell House and South Auckland's Te Tuhi Gallery.
I am concerned that such a negative decision was made by the Auckland Transitional Authority when this project has already gained momentum and will provide a facility for regions north of the bridge and a hub for Central Takapuna.
Genevieve Becroft, QSM
Trustee of the Shore Exhibition Trust