BOP Council Update

Released today for public feedback, Omokoroa’s new playground draft concept design is full of ideas contributed by students from local schools including harbour themes, climbing structures, swings, trampolines and tunnels.
The new playground is part of the revamp of the Omokoroa Domain and Esplanade by Western Bay of Plenty District Council, in partnership with local tangata whenua Pirirākau Hāpu.
Council’s project team and a local landscape architect, have presented the draft concept design to Omokoroa No 1, Omokoroa Point, Pahoia, Whakamarama and Te Puna schools over the past month.
The design is available for feedback from the wider community from Monday, 23 December to Friday, 31 January 2020.
Local schools, Tangata Whenua and representatives of the elderly and disability communities have been part of the community engagement in the design process over the past 12 months.
The school students embraced the playground project with enthusiasm and it was part of their term two curriculum this year to translate their ideas into models and artwork. These were showcased to the community at a special event at the Omokoroa Boat Club in July.
The design includes themes of the harbour location, seafood gathering, tidal movement and interactive adventure play equipment including swings, trampolines, tunnels, climbing structures and a hamster wheel. It will also incorporate cultural art work and themes, in consultation with Pirirākau.
Council’s project leader Scott Parker says the input of the school pupils has given the playground its unique character and he has no doubt the community will love the final result.
“It has been exciting for the kids to see how their ideas have been translated into the final concept design – this was always the result we were seeking and reflects the importance of involving the community from the start of a project such as this.”
Construction timing of the new playground depends on the total cost of the project against the available budget. Some design features may need to be deferred but Council expects to have new equipment in place before the 2020 summer.
To view the concept design and take part in the feedback visit here:
https://haveyoursay.westernbay.govt.nz/omokoroadomainplayground

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