The next stage of the town centre redevelopment was estimated to cost about $868,000 but the tenders received for the project ranged from $1.24million to $1.77million.
After a discussion spanning an hour and a-half at its meeting yesterday, the Cromwell Community Board resolved to decline all the tenders and to hold a workshop to review the design elements of the project, trimming it to fit the budget of $868,000.
The project is being funded out of reserves, rather than being ratepayer funded and business people have been consulted about the elements of the proposal, but board members were uncomfortable with the escalation of costs.
Stone walls, avenues of trees, a children's playground, wildflower plantings and contoured grassed mounds were included in the plans for the reserve, around the Big Fruit sculpture at the State Highway 8B entrance to the town.
''I don't see any real support around the town for spending $800,000 on gardening and landscaping,'' board member Gordon Stewart said.
He would be ''comfortable'' with an upgrade of the area costing ''a few hundred thousand'' but not as much as $800,000.
Board deputy chairwoman Helen Hucklebridge said she always thought the proposal was ''overkill''. Some of the elements were unnecessary and over-the-top.
Board member Tom Pinckney agreed with Mr Stewart's suggestion of ''significantly rehashing'' the plans while still revamping the area.
If the project had to be delayed a year, while being reconsidered, it would not matter as it was part of a long-term revamp.
The only board member who spoke against postponing the project and revising the budget was Nigel McKinlay.
''This is a key element in what is a multimillion-dollar development and you're suggesting we pull back, without achieving the prime objective.''
He was unhappy the cost estimates ''have grown like Topsy'' but said it was possible to make some savings so long as they did not compromise the integrity of the plans.
''By pulling back now, we risk compromising the whole town centre redevelopment, in my view.''
If saving money was the prime objective, there were other stages the board could focus on, rather than this ''key'' part of the redevelopment, Mr McKinlay said.
Board chairman Neil Gillespie said it was not all about saving money, but the estimates had increased by more than 50% since the project was mooted.
It was important to highlight the ''non-negotiable'' elements of the project when revising the designs.
