BOP Council Update

Works on the Omokoroa greenwaste relocated facility on the 336 Omokoroa Road have been given the green light to start within the next week and the site will be ready to open to the public in approximately four weeks’ time.
Council apologises for the inconvenience to the public regarding the unavailability of the greenwaste centre for such an extended period of time.
However we are confident the works will progress quickly now that the site can be accessed.
Council had planned on having the greenwaste centre open from the end of August, however there have been a number of complications that have hindered achieving this date.
• The entrance to the Council facility at 336 Omokoroa Road is serving as a multi-purpose access for Council staff and contractors to the main wastewater pump station
• It is also the main entry to the Kaimai Views housing development that is progressing into stage two of the land directly behind the Council-owned land where the new, relocated greenwaste facility has been prepared.
• There is also a new sewer main being laid into this reserve from Omokoroa Road – as part of the Omokoroa development. These works will be for a two-week period (as of now) and will prevent access to the greenwaste compound.
• Traffic congestion with heavy machinery and equipment places the area as a very high risk site and as such the site is not yet safe to allow the general public to use the area at this point.
• Wet weather has also slowed work progress over the winter months – further delaying the planned reopening of the facility.
• The contract to construct the concrete pad has been deferred a number of times due to the competing space around the site. This means the contractor has had to change their other work commitments in what is a very busy construction market.
*Photo courtesy of Katikati Advertiser

Freedom campers can no longer park up overnight at Bowentown’s Anzac Bay – under a number of bylaw review changes across the Western Bay of Plenty.
Along with banning freedom camping at Anzac Bay, the Freedom Camping bylaw review also sees a reduced area at Pukehina Beach (Dotterel Point), a reduced freedom camping space at Brighton Reserve. Council has decided not to permit freedom camping at several new reserves at Lund Road, Wairoa Road, Fyfe Road Utilities reserve and Western Ave Utilities reserve until future plans for this land have been developed.
The new bylaw will come into effect from 30 September.
The overnight camping ban at Anzac Bay is backed by 71 per cent public support – across 78 public submissions during consultation – while the majority supported the other freedom camping changes proposed by Council.
In total Council received 145 submissions on its Freedom Camping Bylaw proposals, including online submissions, written responses, verbal feedback received at engagement events and formal hearings.
Mayor Garry Webber says there has been significant public support in Council’s commitment to make the District’s popular coastal areas more pleasant for all holidaymakers.
“We take the public’s concerns and feedback seriously, and these comments directly informed the decision making process for us as a Council.
“The decision to remove Anzac Bay as a freedom camping area also pays respect to the fact that the Anzac Domain is an area of cultural significance.
“Last year Council leased land on Emerton Road in Waihi Beach to the New Zealand Motorhome Association – to provide an area designated for their members to enjoy their stay. This has reduced the level of demand to stay overnight at Anzac Bay.”
Council has also been working with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to provide amenities such as KiwiCamp and additional security monitoring to ensure freedom campers are abiding by the rules.
Council received $340,000 from MBIE to help manage freedom camping over summer. This has funded the installation of a KiwiCamp facility at Seaforth Road at Bowentown for this summer.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council also approved changes to its Traffic and Parking Enforcement, Animals (excluding dogs), Cemeteries, Public Places and Trading in Public Places bylaws today. All changes will come into effect from Monday 30 September.

Good Morning

I had a laywer that I know and who I had heard was interested in lodging an objection to the Application for the Liquor License to send me something that I could use.

He does work for the “Communities Against Alcohol Harm Inc.” body.

Attached is that document.

If anyone wishes to use it, it will need a few amendments such as name etc.

The objection can be lodged by email to Dougal.Elvin@westernbay.govt.nz

Word document can be downloaded here

Regards

Richard