Work begins on new Ōmokoroa boardwalk
Work begins on a new boardwalk in Ōmokoroa from next week (Tuesday 5 October), completing the final part of a stormwater bund and walkway/cycleway project.
When finished, the 1.2km dual purpose bund will prevent flooding of the Ōmokoroa golf course and lower section of Precious Family Reserve, and function as a walkway/cycleway connecting to existing paths around Ōmokoroa.
Stages one and two of the bund construction are complete, and the final stage is the boardwalk through the wetland, linking the bund and trail to Kayelene Place.
A small section of the Kayelene Place trail will be closed while the boardwalk is under construction. The Kayelene Place trail is expected to reopen in December, when the boardwalk construction is complete, allowing people to walk or cycle from Kayelene Place to existing trails in the Precious Family Reserve.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Reserve and Facilities Manager, Peter Watson, says, “We’re thrilled to get this last section of trail underway and completed in time for the summer holiday period.
“People using the new boardwalk and bund will have great views of the ocean and wetland, and can link up with trails at Precious Family Reserve to extend their adventures around Ōmokoroa.
“We’d like to thank the Ōmokoroa Golf Club for their contribution and involvement in this project and remind everyone that the golf course is private land and to please keep to the walkway/cycleway.”
Council apologises to users of the walkway/cycleway for any inconvenience caused while the boardwalk is under construction.
The boardwalk project is part of a series of Council projects currently taking place across the Ōmokoroa peninsula to cater for subdivision and population growth between now and 2022. Council would also like to acknowledge TECT who have generously contributed to the long list of projects now taking place in Ōmokoroa.
About the Ōmokoroa Peninsula Projects
It is estimated that by 2050, the Ōmokoroa peninsula will be fully developed and home to 12,000 residents. To cater for this significant growth and the need for continuing improvements to the peninsula’s infrastructure, Council is undertaking a series of projects – roading, reserves, cycleways, stormwater, building and planning – between now and 2022.
Overall, there are more than 15 Council-initiated projects, along with private development, and which includes collaboration with tangata whenua, Pirirākau hapū; the Ministry of Education; and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. The total projects are estimated to cost $50 million, of which $14 million is co-funded by the Government under its Shovel Ready Infrastructure Programme.
For more information on current projects, visit Council’s ‘Ōmokoroa Peninsula Projects’ webpage and story map at westernbay.govt.nz/omokoroaprojects.
