Ōpōtiki District Council are creating a master plan to improve facilities at Waihau Bay following increasing popularity with visitors.
Council are developing a new master plan for the coastal area to help improve facilities, access and community use of the waterfront.
Despite the visitor increase proving to be positive for the area regarding increased business and income, it's also seen increasing reports of minimal parking, congestion and environmental concerns around the boat ramp.
Council’s Planning and Regulatory Group Manager, Gerard McCormack, said 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," McCormack adds.
“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 says.
Those who wish to know more about the plans for the area or to find out more can attend a drop-in session at the Waihau Bay Fishing Club on August 18th.
Council note, feedback can also be provided online or in paper form.
Image: Ōpōtiki District Council.
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