Waihī Beach medical centre reserve proposal withdrawn after public backlash

A plan to build a new medical centre on a Waihī Beach recreation reserve has been scrapped after community consultation revealed more than half of submitters were opposed to the idea. Primary Health Care Limited (PHCL), a charitable not-for-profit that runs Waihī Beach Medical Centre on Wilson Rd, had proposed relocating to a site on Beach Road Recreation Reserve. The organisation announced on 5 March that it was withdrawing the proposal.

A total of 409 submissions were received during the 10-week consultation period, which ran through the peak summer season. Of those, 56% opposed the development at the proposed location, 42% supported it, and 2% were unsure. While submitters broadly agreed that a new medical centre was needed in the area, views were divided over the chosen site. A drop-in session held in December attracted around 80 people, and 53 submitters had requested to present their feedback to council in person — a hearing that had been scheduled for 19 March but will no longer go ahead.

PHCL Deputy Chief Executive Batami Pundak said the organisation wanted community unity behind the initiative and would not proceed without broader consensus. Western Bay of Plenty District Council reserves and facilities manager Peter Watson said the process had demonstrated the value of public consultation, particularly when community land is involved. He thanked everyone who took part in the engagement process.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).