New vision for Mount Maunganui

Mount Maunganui

The highly developed northern end of Mount Maunganui should be declared a special visitor and tourist precinct overseen by a high-powered committee.

Mount resident Max Lewis' new vision for the Mount from Rata St to Adams Ave was due to be put to tonight's meeting of the Tauranga City Council's community development committee.

His idea for a visitor and tourism precinct was in response to the call for submissions to improve Mount Maunganui.

Mr Lewis seeks to empower a committee of Mount business interests and other "competent persons" to manage and expand tourist and visitor growth at the Mount.

"The council should capitalise on the Mount's already world famous reputation and maximise its tourist potential," he said.

Mr Lewis told the Bay of Plenty Times that the Mount did not present a strong enough image. "There's no wow factor."

A more vibrant tourist precinct at the Mount would attract more visitors to both the central business district and other attractions across the wider Bay, such as McLaren Falls and the TECT All Terrain Park.

Mr Lewis, the chairman of the council's Elders Forum, said the council should empower the new committee to manage the precinct to accelerate tourism growth, with the goal to make the Bay a must-visit attraction for overseas visitors. It would also promote shoulder season entertainment to attract visitors from Waikato and Auckland to smooth out seasonal highs and lows.

His ideas for complementary actions to improve visitor enjoyment at the Mount included:
- Increase the size of Pilot Bay's grassed area by using harbour dredgings.
- Close the Pilot Bay boat launching ramp and convert the trailer park for the seasonal use of road side stall vendors.
- A one-way (clockwise) system from Salisbury St along The Mall, Adams Ave and Marine Parade to Pacific Ave with a speed limit of 15km/h.
- Declare the roading precinct a passenger drop off area only in the summer visitor and cruise ship season, and implement free park-and-ride bus services from the Blake Park car park.
- Upgrade the precinct's public toilets to an "appropriate standard" for visitors.
- Implement a higher standard of street cleaning in the peak months.