Katikati Community Shares Vision in Draft Spatial Plan Feedback

Western Bay of Plenty District Council has released the results of community engagement around the draft spatial plan for Katikati, drawing on responses from more than 280 event attendees and over 3,900 pieces of feedback submitted through online surveys and other channels.

On the question of infrastructure investment, just over half of respondents — 51 percent — said the council should invest in future infrastructure as needed to maintain current service levels. Around 28 percent favoured keeping costs low and getting the most from existing assets, while 21 percent wanted more spending to meet the needs of a growing population.

When it comes to town centres and streetscapes, 51 percent of respondents said easy movement and access for people, bikes and vehicles should be the priority. On transport, safety improvements such as barriers and street lighting ranked as the top concern, followed by road maintenance and addressing congestion. An overwhelming 84 percent said they'd prefer to collaborate with other councils or organisations to invest in a future landfill or transfer station closer to home.

Residents were also split almost down the middle on whether some reserve areas should be allowed to grow more naturally with less mowing — 51 percent in favour, 49 percent against. The full feedback results are available at yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/spatial-plan-katikati.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).