Public Asked to Shape Ōmokoroa Domain Marine Upgrade Plans

Western Bay of Plenty residents have until 5pm on Sunday 22 June to share their thoughts on the next stage of the Ōmokoroa Domain Concept Plan, which proposes significant improvements to the area's marine and boating facilities. The Western Bay of Plenty District Council first adopted the concept plan back in 2018 and has been rolling it out in stages as funding has become available.

The latest proposals include a new 8-metre-wide double boat ramp and a 4-metre-wide single ramp to meet growing demand, separation of the jetty from the boat ramps for safer access, an extended pontoon for temporary mooring, dinghy racks, a small vessel ramp for kayaks and paddleboards, and a bus stop zone near the jetty to better support ferry and public transport connections. Upgrades to the ferry boat ramp are also being considered. The total budget for this stage — from planning through to construction — is $8.2 million, to be funded through a combination of the council's coastal renewals budget and additional funding allocated in the 2024–2034 Long Term Plan.

Council reserves and facilities assets manager Janine Field said timelines had been affected by competing priorities and the need to coordinate with other projects, which is why the community is being consulted again. "It's about making the space safer, more welcoming and better suited to how people use it," she said. Ōmokoroa Domain is a popular destination for people from across the district, and the council is encouraging anyone who has launched a boat, caught the ferry, or kayaked from the domain to have their say at yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/Omokoroa-domain.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).