Western Bay of Plenty District Council has confirmed a public toilet will be built at Ōmokoroa’s Precious Family Reserve.
Council’s Projects and Monitoring Committee this week voted 8-3 in favour of installing the facility at the consented site.
The toilet facility is part of the Precious Family Reserve Concept Plan, which was adopted in 2018 following public consultation.
Due to the location of underground wastewater pipes and storage tanks, the original location of the planned toilet was later shifted, with resource consent granted for a more suitable site nearby.
Scheduled to be installed earlier this year, it was put on hold after a group of residents raised concerns with the Ōmokoroa Community Board.
A public meeting was held on site in February, at which it was decided to allow time for adjoining residents to prepare a petition to Council.
One of the concerns raised was the toilet’s proximity to a nearby memorial seat and, as part of today’s decision, Council committed to working with the affected family around the possible relocation of the seat.
Projects and Monitoring Committee Chair Councillor Don Thwaites says, as part of the reserve’s original concept plan, the facility was intended to support the growing number of people using the pathway and open space.
“We understand some residents are concerned about the revised location, but ultimately, we had to weigh up the benefit to the wider public, the existing consent, and the costs already incurred,” says Don.
“This is about providing practical facilities for people enjoying our reserves now, while continuing to plan for what Ōmokoroa will need in the future.”
Council’s Acting Group Manager Infrastructure Services, Peter Watson, says in community decisions like this, it is always challenging to find a balance between the viewpoints of individuals and the wider need for public infrastructure.
“We’re committed to delivering high-quality public infrastructure that supports wellbeing, access and amenity for everyone,” says Peter.
“The next step will be to focus on delivering the facility in alignment with the reserve’s concept plan and consent conditions, which includes some screen planting, while respecting the surrounding environment.”
Alternative options considered at the committee meeting were relocating the toilet to a new, specified position within the reserve, at an additional cost of $50,000, or using the toilet facility for an entirely different site in the District.
Voted for: James Denyer, John Scrimgeour, Allan Sole, Don Thwaites, Murray Grainger, Rodney Joyce, Grant Dally, Andy Wichers
Voted against: Margaret Murray-Benge, Laura Rae, Anne Henry
Absent (away on leave): Tracey Coxhead
