A new round of public consultation is being carried out on the placement of a public toilet at Precious Family Reserve in Ōmokoroa, after criticism of how the facility was approved and installed last year.
The decision was made by the Projects and Monitoring Committee following a robust debate, with councillors voting 8–2 in favour of a fresh round of consultation to gauge community views on whether the toilet should remain in its current position, be relocated within the reserve, or moved elsewhere in the district.
Relocating the toilet to a new position within Precious Family Reserve is estimated to cost $145,000, while removing and relocating it to another site would cost about $50,000.
The project has already cost $80,000.
The toilet was installed at its current site after being approved by the Projects and Monitoring Committee at its June 2025 meeting, Western Bay of Plenty District Council said.
The facility is part of the Precious Family Reserve Concept Plan, which was adopted in 2018 following public consultation.
Council said the concept plan, which showed the toilet in a different location, stated that the final site would be decided following investigations for stormwater management.
The public toilet at Precious Family Reserve in Ōmokoroa. Photo / Western Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
“Due to the location of underground wastewater pipes and storage tanks, the original location of the planned toilet was shifted, with resource consent granted for a more suitable site nearby,” the council said.
“Adjoining residents presented a petition to council in March 2025 opposing the new location.”
While there was no legal requirement to consult on the toilet’s exact location, it was acknowledged at this week’s meeting that there could have been better communication with adjoining residents and the community at large, given that it had been seven years since the concept plan was adopted.
Consultation with the Ōmokoroa community will take place later in 2026.
To watch the Projects and Monitoring Committee meeting on the Precious Reserve Toilet visit: Projects and Monitoring Committee - 21 April 26
3 comments
Unbelievable
Posted on 24-04-2026 14:05 | By M@M
Can't believe it would take a council sitting to decide where to place a bog. Incredibale
Whare Paku
Posted on 24-04-2026 16:29 | By You Must be Joking !
Could this be another one of the instances, that the Mayor refers to as a Shit Decision
Council are going through the motions
Posted on 28-04-2026 11:55 | By morepork
Seven years and over $100,000 and it is still not finally decided.
Apparently the storm and wastewater "infrastructure" was designed and implemented BEFORE the final placement of the toilet was decided.
It's hardly a "convenience" if nobody can use it...
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