Public feedback is being sought on a council proposal to spend around $3 million on tidal stairs, a new pier and a pontoon for the city's waterfront.

The project is developed in parallel with the Tauranga City Centre Spatial Framework, described as 'the reconnection with water and access to the water”.

An artist's impression of the proposed tidal stairs, pier and pontoon. Photo: Supplied.

'We know from extensive community and stakeholder engagement that people want to be able to access the water on The Waterfront,” says mayor Stuart Crosby, 'be it to dip their toes in, kayak, pull up a rowing boat or paddleboard.

'We will continue the conversation on Facebook and through our council channels to get feedback on ‘how will this first stage of access to water work for you?' before we go to the detailed design stage.”

The facilities are proposed to be built on the waterfront area in front of Masonic Park.

The council will also continue to involve local water user groups, such as rowing clubs and waka ama, and local iwi, throughout the consultation process.

Council's 2015-2025 Long Term Plan allocated $8 million to be spent in the next five years on city centre and waterfront development and improving the streetscape, waterfront and open spaces in the heart of the city.

The indicative cost for building the proposed tidal stairs, Masonic pier and pontoon ranges from $2.6 to $3.2 million.

The costs will be refined once the concept is confirmed and the detailed design is carried out.

If the form and function of the concept is confirmed through community feedback and elected member review, council will then complete detailed design with the aim to have the work ready for summer 2016/17.