Submissions on controversial Memorial Park to CBD pathway roll in

The proposed pathway would link Memorial Park to the city centre. Photo / George Novak

A controversial proposal to build a walkway along Tauranga Harbour from Memorial Park to the city centre has attracted feedback from hundreds of people.

More than 500 submissions have been made to Tauranga City Council on the pathway, an on-again, off-again project that was first designed in 2007 as part of the Southern Pipeline and has attracted strong opposition from residents.

Submissions to the Long Term Plan and Annual Plan prompted the council to revisit the proposed pathway, which had been identified as a key non-vehicular transport path in the city.

The council has sought community feedback, with consultation ending mid-May.

Affected residents would be directly consulted and previous submissions against the proposal were also reconsidered.

An affected elderly resident's daughter, who wished to be unnamed, said all of the waterfront residents opposed the pathway due to security and privacy concerns.

"Is this going to add to Tauranga or will it create an ugly, noisy environment for a fleeting five-minute walk?" she said.

She said people who wanted to walk to town could take the path up on to Devonport Rd.

Some residents were part of the Tauranga Harbour Protection Society, which has historically opposed the walkway, arguing it would become a crime corridor used by troublemakers to gain access to their properties.

Society member and affected resident Nick Wilson said the society would be making a submission to the council on the topic.

He said the group stood against any structure being built on the beach and any infringement of property and riparian land rights.

Society chairman and affected landowner Brian Scantlebury did not wish to comment.

Tauranga City Council strategy and growth general manager Christine Jones said the council was aware of the residents' concerns.

Feedback from the affected landowners and the wider community would be reported to the council later in the year when the decision to progress to the design stage or not is made, she said.

Jones said the council would look to "mitigate issues" regarding the privacy and security of residents.

Riparian rights issues would also be worked through with relevant residents to provide access to the water via "boat ramps, stairs or other engineered solutions" where necessary, she said.

Ngāi Tamarāwaho spokesman Buddy Mikaere said the hapū had made a submission supporting the walkway.

Mikaere previously told the Bay of Plenty Times the hapū supported the restoration of the traditional pathway around the harbour and access to the water.

Transport advocacy group Greater Tauranga's Heidi Hughes said the group had already made a submission supporting the pathway.

She said it would provide greater accessibility to the waterfront while reducing the need for cars in the CBD, but any outcome would need to be "sympathetic" to the affected landowners.

Residents who wish to make a submission can do so by visiting the Tauranga City Council website or visiting a community open day.

Street view: Would you support the proposed pathway?

"That sounds good, I'd absolutely support it. I'm all for more cycleways in the area."
Toby Struthers, 31, Pāpāmoa

"It'd be good. I don't come down here often but we do lots of walking when we do."
Daley Apanui, 27, Pāpāmoa

"It's not necessary. There's already enough cycle and walkways throughout the city and it's unfair on the residents."
Graeme Richardson, 60, Merivale

Community Open Days:

TodayMemorial Park playground (if raining, at QEYC foyer, Memorial Park)
11am – 2pm

April 30
Red Square, Spring St
11am – 2pm

May 2
QEYC foyer, Memorial Park
4pm – 7pm

May 4
Tauranga Farmers Market, Arundel St
7.45am – 12pm

Feedback closes 5pm on May 10.