Omanawa Falls could be opened to the public by summer 2022/2023. Photo / NZME
Omanawa Falls could be opened to the public by summer 2022/2023. Photo / NZME
A Bay beauty spot could be made safer for visitors next summer if a multi-million dollar improvement project gets the green light.
Tauranga City Council and Ngāti Hangarau hapu have applied for resource consent to establish a safe walking track at Omanawa Falls.
The track would lead to the edgeof the waterfall pool, with viewing platforms over the falls, on-site car parking for 77 vehicles, public toilet facilities and a visitor centre. Up to three viewing platforms could be built, depending on funding.
The proposed visitor centre would include on-site accommodation for kaitiaki and staff and there was the potential to have a swing bridge in the future.
The council is exploring ownership options, including the possible transfer of the land back to Ngāti Hangarau.
Ngāti Hangarau kaitiaki turn away lots of visitors from the falls over the summer. Photo /NZME
Others have been seriously injured.
Submissions on the consent application, to be considered by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council, have closed.
Paul Dunphy, Tauranga City Council's director of spaces and places, said the Omanawa Falls Safe Access Project had been developed with Ngāti Hangarau and the project was considered "critical and of high priority".
Dunphy said a resource consent hearing was anticipated to be held in late February.
"The budget is $4.5 million, which includes $3.5m from Tauranga City Council and $1m from the Tourism Infrastructure Fund. The final budget will be determined once resource consent is granted, he said.
"If consent is granted we hope to begin the work mid-next year and finish in summer 2022/2023," he said.
The three-staged project includes a proposal for a comprehensive 'Omanawa Falls - The Experience', which would include the operation of a commercial visitor attraction and recreational facility.
Ngāti Hangarau and Tourism Bay of Plenty are exploring longer-term options for managing access to the falls.
'The experience' would centre around access to the waterfall pool and could include unguided and guided tours.
The area has been identified as wahi tapu (sacred) and of great cultural significance and value. Swimming in the pool below the waterfall would not be permitted.
Tauranga City Council, Ngāti Hangarau and Tourism Bay of Plenty have formed a governance group to oversee the project.
Ngāti Hangarau spokesman Koro Nicholas said from the hapu's perspective there would be a lot of positives to come out of the project.
Particularly strengthening relationships with Tauranga City and Western Bay of Plenty councils and Tourism Bay of Plenty, he said.
"We also really want to have good korero with local residents over our future plans, and we're very pleased that most of the feedback is generally positive.
"We prefer to talk to people face-to-face but unfortunately, because of Covid restrictions, it has been a bit difficult," he said.
"Some residents indicate that they are opposed to the project because of some concerns but I believe these concerns are not insurmountable."
Nicholas said he hoped that process could be finalised in time for the resource consent hearing next year.
"We want to offer visitors an intensive, culturally rich experience and get more people learning about the stories and history of this very sacred place, which is a taonga to us."
Some of the direct neighbours are opposed to the project, raising concerns about "noise and amenity issues", especially the potential for twilight tours.
A resident who has lived in the area for more than 30 years said she supported the plan but had some minor concerns.
The woman, who asked not to be named, said she was pleased that finally something was being done to make public access to the falls safe.
She said off-road parking and managed access were "musts" and she also wanted some attention given to the first sharp corner before the falls entrance to make it safer.
"There have been times when we've had up to 80 vehicles lined up on one side of Omanawa Rd, which is very narrow...It has been bedlam at times."
The resident said she favoured a swing bridge over erecting viewing platforms, and if there was a swing bridge visitors should have to pay a modest fee to use it.
"I'd like to see as much of the unique features of this beautiful spot retained."
Tourism Bay of Plenty chief executive Oscar Nathan earlier said he did not want to comment while the resource consent process was still underway.
Kaitiaki of Ngati Hangarau will be onsite again from next month to inform visitors about the falls cultural significance and why it remained closed.
