Landscape architect proposes 'anchor ropes' in his vision for Mauao walkway

A plan to restore the severed links between Mauao and the grassy reserves fronting Pilot Bay and Mount Main Beach has been unveiled by landscape architect Richard Hart.

His proposal involved shifting the Mount Maunganui Surf Club's clubhouse back 50m and relocating the Pilot Bay boat ramp's trailer park into the bottom section of the council-owned motor camp beside Adams Ave.

Mount Maunganui landscape architect Richard Hart wants to restore the anchor ropes of Mauao. Photo/file

''The reserves would become like anchor ropes for Mauao,'' he told the Bay of Plenty Times.

Hart's vision also extended to creating stronger linkages from Mauao's base track, including making the track a full loop by redeveloping the footpath along Adams Ave.

"It may require leadership for some of these things to happen," he told last week's public submissions on the draft Mauao Historic Reserve Management Plan.

"Nobody has been prepared to lead the changes in this area."

Hart said 80 per cent of people who approached the base track from Pilot Bay walked up the middle of the road, behind the boat ramp trailer parks.

The trailer park blocked the natural "desire line" for people walking between Pilot Bay and the base track, he said.

In response to questions from city councillor Steve Morris, he did not think the issue with cars could be resolved. "This is about people.''

Hart said afterwards that the area was unmanageable in public holidays. ''You will never have enough carparks ... Mauao is the heart and soul of Tauranga Moana. It should not be primarily a vehicle-orientated place.''

People that cycled, walked and arrived by public transport should be prioritised, he said.

And the planned redevelopment of the surf lifesaving clubhouse meant that now was the time to ask if it was in the right place.

Hart wanted the footpath along Adams Ave to be an attractive part of the walk around Mauao so that people did not see this urban section as the poor cousin.

The chairman of Nga Poutiri Ao o Mauao, Dean Flavell, said Mr Hart's plan was a little bit outside the prescribed area of the Mauao Historic Reserve.

''But this is a conversation about connections - connections that could happen here,'' he said. Flavell chaired Tuesday's hearing.

Mount Maunganui Surf Club general manager Glenn Bradley said he would rather not enter into public debate at this stage. If the proposal gained a whole lot of traction, the club would want to work with stakeholders.

The response to public submissions on the management plan would be considered on December 5 by the hearing panel.

Richard Hart's landscape concept
- Integrate Mauao with the Pilot Bay and Main Beach coastal reserves.
- Resolve long-term issues with the boat ramp and surf club.
- Upgrade Adams Ave footpath to complete Mauao loop walk.
- Mauao waharoa cultural feature, culture centre and pou.
- Ecological protection and enhancement of Mauao.