Shops, cafes, offices: $75m plan for Omokoroa
A$75 million privately funded new town centre at Omokoroa has met with mixed reactions from some residents concerned about infrastructure, huge growth, traffic and the township losing its quaint beachside “charm”.
The project, which has been submitted to the Western Bay of Plenty District Council for resource consent, is the brainchild of local business JACE Investments Limited.
It will be considered by the council as part of its Omokoroa Structure Plan for the long-term development of land between the peninsula’s railway line and State Highway 2.
The proposal features a staged development application for a privately funded $75m Omokoroa town centre of a multipurpose retail, commercial and social community hub including shops, cafes, offices and a civic centre along with a possible cinema and multiple green spaces that could accommodate the likes of a farmers’ market.
Western Bay of Plenty mayor Garry Webber said Omokoroa was “fully reticulated” but said infrastructure and water were factors needed to comply with the application. He said the development was within the council’s current zoning and, like all applications, it would be given due consideration.
“Now it is under a legal process I can’t comment one way or the other, so we will just have to wait and see what the outcome of the process is.”
Omokoroa’s Janine Birch thought the town centre was something the town had to have but felt traffic would be a negative.
“We are growing hugely and quickly. The population is growing rapidly. It would increase the amount of traffic which is a bit of a negative but, if we are going to have progression, we are going to have more traffic.”
Resident Rick Peers said he had mixed emotions about the scheme.
“I’m all for future development of Omokoroa and the services and amenities that it brings, but I will be sad to see the old charm of Omokoroa fade as it grows.
“I hope we can still maintain the close-knit community we have.”
Omokoroa Kiwi Holiday Park owner Sharon Addison was sure the development would be good for business but she was hesitant to put all her support behind it.
“On this side of town, apart from the Bethlehem shopping centre, there isn’t much. But there is a lack of parking, our roads and water need work and I’m more concerned about those things.”
Fresh Choice Omokoroa owner Steve Ling said the development would be a string to Omokoroa’s bow, if it was successful.
“There is a reasonably low unemployment rate in Omokoroa but the majority of those moving to Omokoroa are young families and they will, in turn, be seeking opportunities, I think it is all positive.”
He hoped the development would keep the unique identity of the “beachside community” but said it would make the peninsula self sufficient and reduce the need for people to travel for various goods and services.
General manager of Tremains Bay of Plenty and Waikato, Anton Jones, said any development which brought an increase in infrastructure and businesses to the area “tends to be a good thing”.
“So having those new businesses and jobs is fantastic.”
Jones said he understood those who had bought in the area for retirement or a quieter life might not share the same view.
Meanwhile, Catherine Mcdonald thought it would be a good development and that it was great to have it at the highway end so the other side could retain its seaside atmosphere.
“We’ve lived here for seven years and hate going into town. If we had