As a resident living near Omanawa Falls, my main concern has always been the number of serious incidents and risk to the lives of emergency crews.

Reducing this risk should be the number one priority for Tauranga City Council, and in 2019 a plan was made to provide guided cultural tours to a lookout or swing bridge across the canyon.

This would have been a safe and affordable option which seemed to be accepted by all stakeholders. Earlier this year, the commissioners signed off a few million dollars extra and, with no prior community consultation, a new, expansive plan was drawn up, which will only exacerbate all of the problems of the past. Local residents have voiced their concerns, but TCC are now in the process of applying for resource consent from Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Regional Council. This is our last chance to make a submission and have our say.