Council supports Ōmokoroa Town Centre decision

An independent commission decision to approve a new 'mixed use' commercial town centre development in Ōmokoroa has Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s full backing.

Independent commissioners this week granted resource consent for JACE Investments Ltd’s $75 million privately-funded proposal to develop a future Ōmokoroa Town Centre.

The proposal is for the establishment of a mixed-use retail and commercial precinct with medium density residential units, and visitor accommodation at 404 Ōmokoroa Rd.

The land includes about 5.3ha of commercial-zoned land and is the last undeveloped site in the main Ōmokoroa commercial zone.

Another 2.5ha has been zoned for future urban land.

Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Garry Webber says Council fully supports the decision made by the independent commissioners as it was always planned that Ōmokoroa would need some form of town centre facility.

“With the Ōmokoroa peninsula to be fully developed and home to an estimated 12,000 residents by 2060 this development will offer current and future residents a multitude of facilities and result in significant economic benefits for the Ōmokoroa community.

“This enables Council to hit the ground running with the structure plan for the balance of Ōmokoroa now we know where the town centre is going,” says Mayor Garry.

The Land Use and Subdivision Consent is now subject to a three-week window for any appeals to be lodged with the Environment Court.