Construction of a $23.5 million roading upgrade that will enable the development of 2500 new homes in Ōmokoroa begins this week.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council's upgrade of Prole Road is key to unlocking critical housing for the sub-region, as well as supporting the planned Ōmokoroa Town Centre and two future schools.
Contractor Higgins will begin construction today following a blessing of the site by Pirirakau kaumatua Peter Borell this morning.
Council's project manager Raj Sumeran says the Prole Road Urbanisation project, part of Council's Ōmokoroa Peninsula Projects, will be transformational for the Peninsula.
'This upgrade is central to all of our work to prepare Ōmokoroa for the expected growth ahead.
'It's the first major step towards seeing the town centre and highly anticipated housing and schools come to light.”
The upgrade will see Prole Road transformed from a rural road to one fit for a future as a busy urban environment.
It includes the reconstruction of 1.7km of road, from Ōmokoroa Road to Waipapa River, new shared walking/cycling paths on both sides of the road, on-road cycle lanes for experienced cyclists, safe pedestrian crossings, and a dual-lane roundabout at the intersection of Prole and Ōmokoroa roads.
Additional infrastructure is also included to support development, such as watermain and wastewater mains, power, fibre, stormwater, new street lightings and landscaping.
Council's environmental planning manager Natalie Rutland says the urbanisation of Prole Road will enable the development of approximately 2500 new homes.
'These homes will be a mix of terraced housing, townhouses, apartments and standalone dwellings – with a range of section sizes available to cater to different needs and wants.”
To support the development, Council is also investing in open spaces and walking and cycling connections within Ōmokoroa, says Natalie.
'We will be creating a large open space area at the corner of Prole and Ōmokoroa roads, which will be accessible through walking and cycling connections. We envisage this will become a wonderful central point for the community.”
Council is funding $16m of the project, with the remaining $7.5 secured through the Government's Infrastructure Reference Group.
Construction of the Prole Road upgrade is expected to be complete in late 2024/early 2025.
For more information visit westernbay.govt.nz/prole-road-urbanisation
4 comments
All well and good, but......
Posted on 27-02-2023 15:47 | By The Professor
.....what about upgrading the SH2, or more to the point, constructing the Northern Link, from Omokoroa. The extra homes are going to add even more frustration to drivers currently travelling from Omokoroa to Tauranga!!! All hous8ng development should be put on hold until we have a decent State Highway.
More Lanes Than Cars
Posted on 28-02-2023 08:00 | By Yadick
. . . new shared walking/cycling paths on both sides of the road, on-road cycle lanes for experienced cyclists . . . How absolutely ridiculous. What numpty got payed to decide that cyclists need more lanes than cars AND who decides who is an experienced cyclist. It's basically, cyclists can ride wherever they like but are the car drivers responsibility, just like they do now. It's also time the cyclists helmet law was enforced, the mobile phone law changed to road traffic users and not just drivers, road laws enforced on cyclists eg Stop signs, Red lights, speed limits, Give Way signs, alcohol/drugs etc. Lights and fluro should be compulsory. I know the road laws apply but they are blatantly disregarded. Can't remember when I last saw a cyclist pulled over . . .
@Professor
Posted on 28-02-2023 15:48 | By Kancho
Absolutely agree. There was a plan shelved by this government when they came in to power. I guess to save money to be spent on stupid stuff we all see.. The plan was for four lanes from Tauranga to Omokora with proper motorway on off slip lanes. Instead we get another roundabout latch up job and traffic mayhem to add increase to commuting traffic. Dumb as, build infrastructure first
more good food producing land lost forever
Posted on 01-03-2023 15:41 | By Bill S
What about the "go upwards not out wards " the central Government is jamming down our throats in Tauranga.
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