Bay of Plenty Regional Council - decision of Independent Commissioners
Tauranga City Council applied to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council to create physically and culturally safe access to Omanawa Falls, and to provide for a comprehensive ‘Omanawa Falls Experience’ tourist and recreation facility. The project is to be staged, with the immediate priority being the provision of safe access, including on-site parking, toilet facilities and managed access.
Consents applied for:
Bay of Plenty Regional Council application number RM21-0449:
- Earthworks: rock scaling to stabilise a cliff face.
- Vegetation clearance: as part of cliff stabilisation/rock scaling and to construct parts of the walking track.
- Structure on the bed of a stream: construct a wooden platform next to the Omanawa waterfall pool (Omanawa River).
Western Bay of Plenty District Council application number RC13050L:
- Signage: on-site and associated with an activity for which resource consent has been granted.
- Significant Ecological Feature: the removal and clearance of native vegetation, earthworks and establishment of a public trail.
- Heritage: for works within the surrounds of the Omanawa Falls Power Station.
- Public Trail: the establishment and use of a public trail, viewing platforms and related signage.
- Accommodation Facility: establishment for use by staff members or kaitiaki, within the visitor centre building.
- Place of Assembly: the use of land, buildings and structures (public trail, carpark, toilet facilities, visitor centre and ancillary activities) involving the congregation of people for recreation and/or cultural tourism activities.
Independent Commissioners acting under delegated authority from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council made the decision to grant the applications on 4 May 2022.