Improving amenity at Waihau Bay
Waihau Bay’s increasing popularity with visitors has been a “double-edged sword” with more visitors bringing business and income to the area, but also reports of congestion, not enough parking, and environmental concerns around the boat ramp. Council is developing a new Masterplan for the coastal area to help improve facilities, access, and community use of the waterfront area.
Council’s Planning and Regulatory Group Manager, Gerard McCormack, said that the masterplan was a way to improve the space for everyone and ease some of the negative impacts of increased visitor numbers, particularly when tuna were running close to the shore. The masterplan is to make sure that future development goes ahead in line with what the community wants.
“It is similar to the process we went through for the Ōpōtiki Wharf Masterplan. The actual building of facilities and making changes will take time and funding. But having a masterplan agreed with key groups and with the wider community means that when we build something we know it fits in with the long-term vision for the area.
“We have already been working closely with hapū and iwi through our reserve management plans and as they move through the Treaty settlement process. We worked particularly with Te Whānau-a-Pararaki to develop these ideas and the concept drawings and now it is a good opportunity for those who know the area well or visit occasionally to add their input to the designs,” Mr McCormack said.
If people want to know more about the plans for the area or to find out more, there will be a drop-in session at the Waihau Bay Fishing Club on 19 August. Feedback can also be provided online or in paper form.
Waihau Bay Masterplan - Ōpōtiki District Council (odc.govt.nz)
