BOP Council Update

The Omokoroa home at 37 McDonnell Street that was damaged in a major slip during the cyclones of 2017 is to be demolished and replaced with a small reserve and lookout area.
The house, which is the property of Western Bay of Plenty District Council, is to be demolished as soon as a sufficient stretch of fine weather allows.
During the cyclonic storms Debbie and Cook in April 2017, a major slip tore out the backyards of both 37 and 39 McDonnell Street leaving the house at 37 McDonnell teetering over the edge of a 30m-high slip above the sea. The house lost its wastewater and water utilities, but was otherwise intact.
Following the storm, Council deemed the house too dangerous to live in under the Building Act.
Some time later, the Earthquake Commission (EQC) paid out a portion of the value of the lost land – approximately 25 percent of the capital property value. The house insurer declined compensation.
In March 2019, the owner approached Council with an offer to sell the property. Council purchased it and took on liability to remove the house and create a small reserve on the land remnant.
Once the house is gone, the remnant land will be top soiled, re-grassed and fenced off – at full cost to Council.

Tails are sure to be wagging across the Western Bay District with the Wander Dogs Summer Series making a welcome return to the summer calendar.
Back by popular demand, the Western Bay of Plenty District Council series features eight fun run or walks between November and next April – stopping in at locations including Waihi Beach’s Anzac Bay, Te Puna Quarry Park and TECT All Terrain Park.
Council’s Animal Services Officer Betty Hall says the walks give the District’s 9600 registered dog owners the chance to get out and about with their pooches in a safe, friendly and social environment.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’ve got a Husky, Labrador, Border Collie, Malamute or a Chihuahua. These are family friendly events for dogs of all shapes and sizes and their owners to stretch their legs,” says Betty.
“We love hosting this series. Visiting each amazing Western Bay location is a highlight on the summer calendar. We can’t wait to get out and have some fun.
“Everyone is welcome – even if you don’t have a dog – feel free to join us for a fun walk in our beautiful District.”
The series is once again headlined by three special events; the Mud Dog Run at TECT All Terrain Park, Doggy Day Out at Te Puke’s Jubilee Park and Dogs in Togs at Te Puke Memorial Pool.
It kicks off on Sunday, 10 November, with dog owners and their pooches getting muddy at the Mud Dog Run at TECT All Terrain Park.
The Mud Dog Run, a co-hosted event with Tauranga City Council, features a 2.5km and 6km run through the park with plenty of mud and water-filled obstacles.
“Last year we had more than 250 people join in and we expect this number to be even bigger,” says Betty.
“Plus, everyone asked for more mud and we’re confident they won’t be disappointed this time.”
For more information search Wander Dogs at www.westernbay.govt.nz

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