A revised option called “Community Plus” has been put on the table for the Tauranga City Council commissioners as they deliberate the future of the Tauranga Racecourse Reserve next Monday.

The recommendations in the report follow three years of work, including three phases of engagement, consultation and hearings for the Greerton Maarawaewae Study, which was established to explore the most appropriate and efficient use of the Tauranga Racecourse Reserve to support wellbeing and liveability as the city continues to grow.

In response to the feedback received throughout the process, the key recommendation is for a new Option (Community Plus - an adaptive future-proofed program pathway) that provides for greater recreational access to, and public use of the existing Racecourse Reserve, while allowing Te Whatu Ora to continue progressing its business case on future site options for Tauranga Hospital.  This is expected to be completed mid-2024.

If the Te Whatu Ora business case identifies a need for the site, the report’s recommendations provide for Option A ‘heath and recreation’ to be taken forward by the Crown.  If the site is not required for health purposes, Option C - ‘enhanced status quo’, will be taken forward, with the racecourse retained alongside ongoing recreation and wider community enhancements.

The recommendation says the Council will work with current leaseholders on concept plans for greater community access to the whole reserve land. 

This will include play areas, covered court space, planted/walkway areas, parking improvements, a skatepark and linkages to Kopurererua Valley. 

The community will be invited to provide feedback later this year on what is proposed through the concept plan for the best use of the recreational space.

The report also recommends a new lease for Tauranga Golf Course, with the condition that greater community access is both enabled and encouraged, and that future infrastructure needs are catered for.

The Tauranga Equestrian Sports Association, which also uses the Racecourse Reserve, is having its future needs considered through the equestrian strategy – currently under development via Sport BOP and in conjunction with Equestrian Sport NZ. 

The recommendations in the report for enhanced community use of the Racecourse Reserve land, align with the outcomes of the Our Direction project, which includes the:

• Active Reserves Master Plan proposals;
• the draft Reserves and Open Space Action and Investment Plan; and
• the Active Recreation and Sport Action and Investment Plan (see below).

Tauranga City Council will further consider the Tauranga Racecourse lease when the business case for the new hospital is completed in July 2024.   This business case will be a critical factor in determining what happens with the racecourse reserve land in the future.

Should the Racecourse need to move in the future, as a result of Te Whatu Ora requiring some of the land for health purposes, there is a potential alternative location option available.  (This remains confidential due to commercial sensitivities.)

Tauranga City Council will continue to engage with mana whenua on any matters to do with recreational and accessibility improvements to the Reserve land (particularly around the recognition of cultural history and narratives across this site) and notes the Te Whatu Ora business case, and any potential Treaty claim process arising, will remain between mana whenua and the Crown.  

Other resolutions in the report include:

• a new governance arrangement to be established for the Racecourse Reserve 
• the sub-regional Racing Working Group (which was established to consider possible future sites for a Bay of Plenty racecourse) to meet after deliberations and then recess until the health business case outcomes are known
• funding for the development of the recreation and community improvements at the Racecourse will be considered via the Long-term Plan budget setting.

Commission Chair Anne Tolley says the community conversation has been focused on ideas for use of the reserve land in the next 10 to 50 years and also on providing certainty to existing user groups for the coming years.

“We greatly appreciate the constructive way the existing user groups have engaged with us during this process and for sharing information with, and encouraging feedback from, their members.

“And if the Te Whatu Ora business case identifies a need for the site, the report’s recommendations provide for Option A ‘heath and recreation’ to be taken forward by the Crown.  If the site is not required for health purposes, Option C - ‘enhanced status quo’, will be taken forward, with the racecourse retained alongside ongoing recreation and wider community enhancements.”

Concept plans for the area.