Fire and Emergency New Zealand has launched an urgent investigation into the actions of a volunteer firefighter who refused to wear a mask while trying to
Ōmokoroa Town Centre development gets backing of commissioners and community members
11 May, 2021 06:00 PM
4 minutes to read
An artist s impression of what the future Ōmokoroa Town Centre could look like. Photo / File
An artist s impression of what the future Ōmokoroa Town Centre could look like. Photo / File
A new $75 million commercial town centre development for Ōmokoroa just given the green light is vital for the suburb s growing population, community leaders say. Independent commissioners have granted resource consent for Jace Investments Limited s privately-funded project.
The proposal would see a mixed-use retail and commercial precinct with medium density residential units and visitor accommodation established at 404 Ōmokoroa Rd.
Top skaters show their skills in Katikati
7 May, 2021 07:02 AM
3 minutes to read
New Zealand champion skateboarder Matthew Markland doing tricks at the demo in Katikati.
Bay of Plenty Times
By: Chris Steel
Top skaters from around the country were impressive when giving locals a demonstration of their range of skills and tricks at the Katikati skatepark last Wednesday.
Among them was New Zealand skateboard champion Matthew Markland.
The day of action was hosted by Katikati Community Centre youth employment coach, Melody Lamb. Activities included a team from Drop Deep Skateboarding visiting Waihi Beach, Waihi and Katikati last Tuesday and Thursday, with skateboarding lessons, a demo and Best Trick Comp in Katikati last Wednesday.
SH2 review prompts mayoral plea as fight for Katikati bypass has not gone away
6 May, 2021 12:00 AM
4 minutes to read
Heavy traffic on SH2 through Katikati s mainstreet is constant. A bypass is wanted to help alleviate the congestion. Photo / File
Heavy traffic on SH2 through Katikati s mainstreet is constant. A bypass is wanted to help alleviate the congestion. Photo / File
A Bay of Plenty mayor says greater progress on the proposed Katikati bypass would be a better solution for State Highway 2 than speed reviews. Western Bay of Plenty District Council yesterday signed off on mayor Garry Webber s submission to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency regarding State Highway 2 in and around Katikati.
Significant challenges on Tauranga s horizon as population set to boom by 71,000
3 May, 2021 06:00 PM
5 minutes to read
Barry Muir has lived here since 1948, and remembers a completely different Tauranga. Significant challenges have been forecast for Tauranga and the Western Bay district with the area s total population expected to grow to nearly 270,000 in the next 27 years. In 2018, the Census estimated 142,100 people lived in Tauranga City and 53,300 in the Western Bay of Plenty. Collectively, these populations were expected to grow by 20,000 in the next two years.
But new projections obtained by the Bay of Plenty Times from Statistics New Zealand reveal Tauranga s population is predicted to soar 57,000 to reach 199,100 and Western Bay s by 14,700 to reach 68,000 by 2048 making a total of 267,100.