Western Bay of Plenty residents have until June 22 to have their say on the next stage of the Ōmokoroa Domain Concept Plan.

The plan is all about improving the marine and boating facilities (think wider boat ramps, safer jetties, and space for everyone to access the water) according to the Western Bay of Plenty District, which first adopted the Ōmokoroa Domain Concept Plan in 2018 and had been rolling it out in stages as funding had become available.

“The playground was completed in 2021, while the path connecting to Gerald Crapp Reserve has been fully designed and is scheduled for construction in 2027/2028. Design work for the carparking and stormwater upgrades is also complete, with construction planned in future stages,” the council said in a statement.

However, the council’s reserves and facilities assets manager Janine Field said like many long-term infrastructure projects, timelines have been slightly impacted by competing priorities, budget constraints and the need to coordinate with other projects.

“As a result, it’s been a while since we last asked the community their thoughts, and we want to make sure the plan still reflects what the community wants and needs.”

The plan includes a new 8m-wide double boat ramp and a 4m-wide single ramp to meet growing demand; separating the jetty away from the boat ramps for safer access; an extended pontoon so more boats can moor temporarily; dinghy racks and a small vessel ramp for kayaks, paddleboards and dinghies; a bus stop zone near the jetty to support ferry and public transport connections. Upgrades to the ferry boat ramp will also be considered as part of the wider plan.

The total budget for this stage of the concept plan, from planning through to construction, is $8.2 million. Funding will come from a combination of council budgets, including the coastal renewals budget, which covers existing boating facilities, plus additional funding allocated in the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan for upgrades to marine and boating infrastructure.

“It’s been a while since we last checked in with the community about this space, so we’re keen to hear from the people who use the boat ramps, ferry and jetties,” Field said.

“Before we dive into the detailed design, we want to make sure we’ve still got it right.”

Field said the council wanted people to know that the plan isn’t just about adding more concrete or bigger ramps to the domain: “It’s about making the space safer, more welcoming and better suited to how people use it.”

Ōmokoroa Domain is a well-loved destination for Ōmokoroa and Matakana Island locals, and visitors from across the WBOP district, Field said, and so anyone who has launched a boat, caught the ferry, paddled out on a kayak, or fished off the jetty at Ōmokoroa Domain is welcome to submit their views on the plan.

“It’s your space, so let’s shape it together for you, your whānau and future generations.”

To view the plan in detail and share your thoughts on the future of the marine and boating facilities at Ōmokoroa Domain, visit: yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/Omokoroa-domain

Feedback closes 5pm Sunday, June 22, 2025.