FAQs

An unformed road is a parcel of land that is legally recognised as a Public Road or a Māori Roadway shown on a survey plan that is either not formed as a road, or is partly formed as a road, and is not currently maintained by Council. It explicitly excludes private roads.

The Western Bay of Plenty District roading network includes a significant number of unformed roads, so Council needs a clear approach to when it assumes responsibility for maintaining an unformed road. This means additional roads can be included on the maintenance programme in a managed way.

Given that anyone has the right to use a Māori roadway as if it were a public road (where there are no orders of exclusive use by the Māori Land Court), there is a case for the roadway to be treated as if it were a public road in terms of maintenance and improvements. Therefore, Council has included Māori Roadways for consideration in this proposed policy. Council is proposing to revoke its Māori Roadways Policy.

We want to make it easy for you to share your ideas and thoughts with a number of options:. 

• Explore this online hub where you can complete our online survey (below)
• Post your feedback to Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Private Bag 12803, Tauranga Mail Centre, Tauranga 3143
• Drop your feedback off at any of our Library and Service Centres in  Waihī Beach, Katikati, Ōmokoroa, Te Puke or to the main Council Office at Barkes Corner
• Email your feedback to haveyoursay@westernbay.govt.nz

Feedback is open until 5pm, Thursday 21 April 2022.

Council wants to know if you think the proposed policy provides an appropriate framework for considering when it will assume maintenance of an unformed road.

Council will acknowledge in writing or by email (if provided) the receipt of your feedback and all feedback will be considered through Council’s deliberations process. All submitters who provided email or postal details will receive a decision document.