FAQs

Precious Family Reserve is an important space for the Ōmokoroa community. While a toilet has already been installed following earlier Council decisions, recent feedback has highlighted differing views about:

• the toilet’s location within the reserve
• the consultation and decision-making process
• whether a toilet is needed at this site

Council has also received a review and correspondence from the Friends of Precious Family Reserve. In response, the Projects and Monitoring Committee in April 2026 resolved to undertake further consultation so the community can help inform the final long-term outcome for the toilet.

Yes. Public toilet facilities within Precious Family Reserve were originally identified through the:

• Precious Family Reserve Concept Plan (2018)
• Kaimai Ward Reserves Management Plan (2025)

Following technical investigations, a revised consented location within the reserve was approved by the Projects and Monitoring Committee on 10 June 2025. The toilet was subsequently installed in July 2025.

Council is now seeking further community feedback before making a further decision on whether the toilet:

• remains in its current consented location
• is relocated elsewhere within the reserve
• is removed and relocated elsewhere in the District

Key decisions and milestones include:

• 2018 – The Precious Family Reserve Concept Plan identified the future provision of a public toilet within the reserve.
• 2025 – The Kaimai Ward Reserve Management Plan continued support for public toilet facilities at the reserve.
• 10 June 2025 – The Projects and Monitoring Committee approved a revised toilet location within the reserve following technical site investigations.
• July 2025 – The toilet was installed.
• 21 April 2026 – The Projects and Monitoring Committee agreed to undertake additional public consultation on the future of the toilet following feedback from the Friends of Precious Family Reserve.

Before installation, Council undertook a range of technical site investigations across the reserve. These included assessments of:

• underground services and infrastructure
• ground conditions
• flooding and drainage considerations
• servicing requirements, including wastewater and utilities
• practical construction and maintenance access

These investigations identified several constraints with the original concept plan location, including underground infrastructure conflicts, flood risk, servicing limitations, and construction feasibility challenges.

As a result, the original location was determined to be unsuitable, and an alternative consented location within the reserve was approved by Council in June 2025.

Council has identified alternative potential locations within Precious Family Reserve that have undergone preliminary site investigations.

The map below shows:

• the current toilet location
• alternative relocation sites being considered within the reserve - these include Site A and Site B

Option 1: Retain the toilet in its current consented location

Keep the toilet in its current location within Precious Family Reserve.

No additional costs.

Option 2: Relocate the toilet within Precious Family Reserve

Move the toilet to another suitable location within the reserve.

Potential locations:

• Site A
• Site B

Estimated cost: approximately $145,000 for Site A and $185,000 for Site B (which is further away from existing services e.g. water, power and sewer).

Note: These sites are subject to detailed geotechnical assessment, compliance with District and Regional Plan consent requirements, and compliance with Finished Floor Levels (FFL). 

Option 3: Remove the toilet and relocate it elsewhere in the district

Remove the toilet from Precious Family Reserve and relocate it to another suitable location elsewhere in the Western Bay District.

Estimated cost: approximately $50,000 (based on it being relocated to an area that doesn’t require a land use consent and is near existing services).

Costs vary depending on the level of work required. Retaining the toilet requires no further work, whereas relocation onsite would involve:

• Obtaining new consent(s)
• Disconnecting and decommissioning existing services
• Transporting the structure
• Constructing new foundations
• Reconnecting, electrical, utilities and wastewater services
• Reinstating affected reserve areas
• Construction works

$106,336 (inc GST) has been spent to date on design, consenting, site investigations, construction, and installation.

Any additional costs associated with relocation or removal would be funded through rates (currently unbudgeted for).

Council has received a range of feedback from the community relating to:

• the toilet’s location within the reserve
• impacts on the reserve environment and amenity
• the consultation and decision-making process
• whether public toilet facilities are needed at this location

This consultation provides the community with an opportunity to help inform the final outcome.

Yes. Following a reported incident where a user experienced difficulty exiting the toilet, Council undertook a review and maintenance inspection of the facility.

The toilet was assessed to ensure it was operating correctly and any required maintenance actions were completed, including the latest electronics being installed so this would not happen to anyone again.

Council will continue to monitor and maintain the facility in line with standard operational procedures.

Public toilet facilities help support:

• visitors and families using the reserve and the popular pathway
• accessibility and convenience for reserve users
• longer stays and recreational use
• public health and hygiene outcomes

The need for public toilet facilities was originally identified through reserve planning processes and community growth considerations.

Yes. If the toilet is relocated or removed, affected areas of the reserve would be reinstated as part of the project works.

This may include:

• landscaping
• reinstatement of grassed areas
• removal of infrastructure
• restoration of surrounding reserve areas where required.

All feedback received during the consultation period will be reviewed and summarised in a report to elected members.

This feedback will help inform Council’s final decision on the location of the toilet.

Following the consultation:

• all feedback will be reviewed and analysed 
• a summary report and recommendations will be prepared
• elected members will consider the feedback at a future Council or Projects and Monitoring Committee meeting
• it is anticipated a final decision will be made on 25 August 2026 - at Council's Projects and Monitoring Committee meeting

You can provide feedback by:

• Completing the online feedback form on this project page
• Visit the Ōmokoroa Library and Service Centre to pick up and fill out a hardcopy feedback form
• Email your feedback to yourplace@westernbay.govt.nz (please include 'Precious Family Reserve Toilet' in the subject line)

No. Petitions will not be accepted as formal feedback, as part of this consultation process.

To ensure all feedback is considered fairly and consistently, individuals and organisations are encouraged to complete a single feedback submission through the official Council consultation channels.

Consultation closes at 11:59pm on Thursday 25 June 2026.

Supporting documents are available on the right-hand side section of this webpage, which include:

• reserve map/concept plans
• alternative location maps
• Reserve Management Plan background information
• relevant Council reports and decisions
• consultation materials