Major road improvements complete in Ōmokoroa

Two key roads in Ōmokoroa are now safer and easier to use thanks to major upgrades completed in December

Improvements totalling almost $10 million have been made to Ōmokoroa Road and Western Avenue as part of Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s efforts to prepare the peninsula for growth

The Ōmokoroa Road Urbanisation Stage 1 and Western Avenue Urbanisation projects are also the first of Council’s projects partially funded by the Crown Infrastructure Partners (CIP) fund to be completed

The projects involved upgrading sections of both roads, totalling 2km, from the old rural road condition to a new urbanised standard

The existing road has been widened to 11 5m and new 2 5m shared paths have been constructed on both sides of the road, as well as through Western Avenue Reserve

Council’s Project Manager, Raj Sumeran, says two of the peninsula’s most important roads are now safer, fitfor-purpose and more accessible to all users

“These upgrades will make a massive difference to the day-to-day travel of people through Ōmokoroa, and go a long way to helping ensure the area is ready for the growth that is coming

“The shared paths we ’ ve built will eventually link up with future planned paths to create a trail through the peninsula –enabling enjoyable and safe alternative options for travel to and from school, work, shops and recreation ”

The projects also included under-

Whakamārama Hall regular events

Library

Thursdays 9am – noon (during term) and every third Friday 6-8 30pm Visit whakalibrary librarika com to see our great range of books A real eclectic mix!

PrESCHOOL PLayGrOUP

Thursdays 9 30-noon (during term time) This is a friendly free group with a fantastic range of toys and great indoor and outdoor spaces

Email Dayna on daynarowe83@hotmail com for more information

TWiF

Thank Whakamārama It s Friday takes place every 3rd Friday of the month from 68 30pm Everyone is welcome Bring your dinner your family and a bottle or two and enjoy a gathering with neighbours and friends

Find out what s going on in the community and meet fellow Whakamārama locals

WHakamārama EmaiLS

Community news including lost and found animals, items for sale, excess fruit and vegetables and rentals wanted To receive these email Carolyn at rossroad@eol co nz

HaLL bOOkiNGS

Whakamārama Hall bookings are now available online To check availability and to make bookings head to spacetoco com

Keyword Whakamārama Community Centre grounding of powerlines, new streetlights and plantings, two new roundabouts, bus bays, safe crossing points, and kerbing

“Thank you to the Ōmokoroa community for their patience as we completed this work, we hope they enjoy the results,” says Raj

About Ōmokoroa Peninsula Projects

Council estimates by 2050 the Ōmokoroa peninsula will be fully developed and home to an estimated 12,000 residents

To cater for this significant growth, Council is planning ahead by undertaking a series of more than 15 projects – roading, recreation, cycleways, stormwater, building and planning – to ensure current and future residents benefit from a great quality infrastructure

In August 2020, Council received $14 million through the CIP fund to start work on several of these projects

Friends of the Blade

By Noelene Taylor

Traps have been cleaned and sharpened up, goals for the coming year updated, and volunteer trappers have been revisiting their lines in the bush as the Friends of the Blade group gets ready to carry on the fight for biodiversity in the Kaimai-Mamaku

Last year, the predator control members were impressed by the impact of AutoTraps being trialled along the outer boundaries A perimeter fence is beyond the financial means of most care groups, but self-resetting traps, carefully placed in hot spots on the boundary, can be a ‘virtual fence’ that stops an impressive number of invading animals The tally over a threemonth trial period using several autotraps on the boundary was 72 possums and 107 rats, while the total number of possums trapped over the whole project area last year was 757

Gaye Payne and Dale Williams, two consultants who work with BOPRC, reported that Friends of the Blade are developing their trapping effectively to help remove pest animals

We welcome anyone interested in joining Are you tech savvy, or maybe a data scrutiniser, a predator hunter, a lover of healthy bush and wildlife, or simply looking for an opportunity to join the work towards Predator Free 2050?

Our corner of the bush is close to town, our volunteers are well-supported, and you will find a welcoming community of like-minded people If you are interested in joining a small and enthusiastic management group or our larger pool of equally enthusiastic predator control volunteers, contact us for more information by emailing friendsoftheblade@gmail com