The Omokoroa community is invited to a public meeting next week to discuss the upgrades to Omokoroa Road from Tralee Street to Western Avenue taking place over the next 18 months.

They will meet with Council, it's consultants and with J Swap Contractors - the construction team that will be working on the upgrades.

The public meeting hosted by Western Bay of Plenty District Council is on Wednesday October 28 from 7pm until 8pm at the Settlers Hall.

J Swap Manager Shanan Mowatt says the evening is an opportunity for Omokoroa residents and business owners to meet the construction team and be introduced to the key people on the ground who will be communicating with the locals during the project.

'This project involves a central stretch of Omokoroa Road and will impact on all those who live and work along that stretch as well as everyone using the road.

'Our team is familiar with Omokoroa, having been involved in previous roading contracts, and we are looking forward to being a part of the community again.

'Construction is expected to be ongoing for at least 18 months so it is very important that locals know who they can talk to when they have any questions.”

At the community meeting J Swap will outline the programme of works, the timeline for works and enable people to personally meet the team. Council project staff will be at the meeting to provide an overview of the project.

J Swap Contractors was awarded the $5.76 million construction phase of the project which comprises 1.3km of Omokoroa Road from Western Avenue to Tralee Street. Work is scheduled to start on Monday November 9 2020.

The work includes upgrading the road to an urbanised standard complete with kerbing, footpath/cycle path, lighting, drainage, utility services and landscaping.

Two roundabouts will be included at Tralee Street and McKenna Lane, plus improved entrances to Fresh Choice Omokoroa and the commercial shopping area.

Also included is a new stormwater main on Margaret Drive from the Tralee Street roundabout to Cooney Reserve.

This project is the first of the ‘shovel ready' projects in the $14 million package allocated in the Crown Infrastructure Partners (CIP) funding for Omokoroa.

This project is co-funded by Council, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and CIP.

The project is also the first of a series of Council projects across the Omokoroa Peninsula to cater for subdivision and population growth between now and 2022.

These projects are the result of sound planning work and reflect the spatial planning that will support all land use development in Omokoroa in years to come. Council estimates by 2060 the Omokoroa Peninsula will be fully developed and home to an estimated 12,000 residents.