Omokoroa residents are being asked to help Council shape how the peninsula will look when it will be home to 12,000 people.

Today Omokoroa has around 3000 residents, but will develop to house 12,000 over the next 40 years.

To make sure the area remains a peninsula paradise it is important that planning decisions made today are well considered to ensure that all current and future residents have a great quality of life.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council want to know how Omokoroa locals, and those living in outlying areas, think the undeveloped area between the rail line and the State Highway should be developed and are holding open days to start the process.

Council Resource Management Manager Phillip Martelli says that it is important that people think about the Omokoroa of the future with 9000 new residents.

'We want to know what areas people think will be suitable for housing, where a commercial area that complements new houses and other land uses will go, to think about transport links, schools and community facilities, and what types of parks and other recreation spaces will be needed – and how these can all fit together to create a great place to live.”

Open days will focus on establishing a future vision for the peninsula and are scheduled for:

• Friday 24 November 2017 – 3pm to 5pm – Omokoroa Community Church
• Tuesday 28 November 2017 – 7pm to 9pm – Omokoroa Community Church

Content in both open days will be identical. If you would like to attend, register by emailing Charlotte Brisby (charlotte.brisby@westernbay.govt.nz) or call Council on 0800 926 732.

Following these open days, Council will develop some options for the areas development before getting back in touch with the community for additional direction.

Those who can't make the open days will be able to view all content and have their say online at haveyoursay.westernbay.govt.nz.