Community views sought on Te Puna Village future

The open days aim to identify what the community wants for the Te Puna commercial area. Photo / Supplied

Community views are being sought for the future of the Te Puna Village commercial area.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council is inviting the community to open days on October 27, 9am to 12pm, and October 30, 4pm to 7pm, at the Red Shed behind Farmlands, off Minden Rd in Te Puna.

The open days aim to identify what the community wants for the commercial area for the council's decision making on the area's future.

The area being considered includes all of the businesses located in and around the intersection of State Highway 2 with Te Puna and Minden Rds.

Te Puna Village is well advanced with a mix of commerce, industry, accommodation and hospitality services within the current land use zones.

Over the years the council has received proposals from businesses and landowners that "test" the existing planning framework and infrastructure capacity for this commercial zone.

The open days aim to identify what the community wants for the Te Puna commercial area. Photo / Supplied

To plan for the future it is important the council has a good grasp of the community's views, the aspirations of businesses and landowners and development constraints and opportunities.

The council's resource management manager, Phillip Martelli, said sensible planning for future land use zoning and infrastructure was essential to ensure Te Puna's commercial growth was properly provided for.

"The areas of feedback we would like from the community include an understanding of how the community uses the commercial area, the value people place on this area and issues and opportunities the community considers may impact on future development of the site.''

Other opportunities for sharing your views are:

- Online: Go to https://haveyoursay.westernbay.govt.nz/tpvillage and fill out the online form with your feedback. Email: Send your feedback to haveyoursay@westernbay.govt.nz.
- Phone: Have a chat to one of the team involved by calling the council customer service centre on 07 571 8008.

The feedback period closes at 4pm on November 9 2018. The Have Your Say site will be live from October 23.

The community feedback will be considered by the council in November/December 2018, along with discussion about potential responses to the feedback. Following this, the council will advise the community of the outcome and potential next steps.