Ōmokoroa Toilet Relocation: Council Seeks Community Input

Western Bay of Plenty District Council is asking Ōmokoroa residents to weigh in on what should happen to a public toilet at Precious Family Reserve. Three options are on the table: leave it where it is, move it to a new spot within the reserve, or remove it altogether and site it elsewhere in the district.

Two possible relocation sites have been identified along the shared pathway towards the waterfront — Site A at 44 metres along, and Site B at 64 metres along. Moving the toilet would cost an estimated $145,000 to Site A or $185,000 to the more remote Site B, which is further from water, power and sewer connections. Removing it entirely is estimated at around $50,000, subject to suitable land being available without requiring resource consent.

The toilet was installed at its current consented location last July, but technical constraints including underground infrastructure and flood risks meant it ended up in a different spot from what was originally planned. Community feedback since then has revealed mixed views about its placement, the consultation process, and whether it's needed at all. The council's projects and monitoring committee agreed in April to go back to the community before making a final call.

Council reserves and facilities manager Peter Watson acknowledged the gap between the original 2018 concept plan and delivery had caused frustration for some residents. Consultation is open until 11.59pm on 25 June, with a final decision expected at the 25 August committee meeting. Feedback can be submitted online, by email, or via hard copy forms at Ōmokoroa Library and Service Centre.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).