Retain, Relocate or Remove the toilet at Precious Family Reserve

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Ōmokoroa we want to hear what you think about the toilet at Precious Family Reserve — where it is now, and what should happen next.

In 2018, as part of planning for the future of the reserve, we asked the community what you wanted to see in the reserve, including whether a toilet might be needed. That feedback helped shape the Precious Family Reserve Concept Plan (2018), which included a toilet in a proposed location. The plan was also part of the Kaimai Reserve Management Plan which was reviewed and consulted on, and adopted by Council in 2025.


Why we are coming back to the community.


We know this space is important to the community.


Precious Family Reserve is used for recreation, quiet enjoyment, and remembrance. We want to make sure any decision about facilities in the reserve reflects how the community uses and values it today.

The original ideas for the reserve were developed during the concept planning phase in 2018. Since then, the reserve has evolved, community expectations have changed, and more people are using the pathway and open space in different ways. We also acknowledge that the gap in time between the original adopted plan and delivery has created some frustration for some in the community. That is why we are re-opening this conversation now.


Council has considered recent feedback, including a review undertaken by the Friends of Precious Family Reserve.


In response, the Projects and Monitoring Committee resolved in April 2026 to return to the community before making a final decision. We want to make sure we are making the right decision for this space — together.


What has happened since the adoption of the 2018 Precious Family Reserve Concept Plan


As the project progressed, technical investigations identified site constraints, including underground infrastructure and flood considerations. This meant the toilet could not be built in the original location shown in the concept plan.


A revised location was proposed, at the Projects and Monitoring Committee Meeting on 10 June 2025, which was approved for installation.


The consented toilet was installed in July 2025. $106,336 (inc GST) has been spent on the project to date on, design, consenting, site investigations, construction, and installation of the toilet.


Since installation, feedback has highlighted differing views about the toilet’s location, the consultation process, and whether the facility is needed in the reserve.


What do you think?


We are asking for your feedback on the three proposed options:


Option 1: Retain the toilet where it is.

Keep the toilet in its current consented location within the Reserve (see map).
No additional cost

Option 2: Relocate the toilet within the reserve
Move the toilet to another suitable site within the Reserve. There are two locations proposed (see map).
Estimated cost: approximately $145,000 for Site A and $185,000 for Site B (which is further away from services e.g. water, power and sewer). Note, Site A and Site B are subject to detailed geotechnical assessment, compliance with District and Regional Plan consent requirements, and compliance with required Finished Floor Levels (FFL).


Option 3: Remove the toilet from the reserve
Remove the toilet from the Reserve and relocate it elsewhere in the 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).



How to have your say


Share your feedback by completing the online feedback form below or picking up a hardcopy feedback form at our Ōmokoroa Library and Service Centre. Alternatively, email your feedback to yourplace@westernbay.govt.nz with 'Precious Family Reserve toilet' in the subject heading.

Council won't be accepting any petitions as formal feedback.


What happens next?


Once consultation closes, we will review all feedback to help inform Council’s further decision on the future of the toilet at Precious Family Reserve. It is anticipated Council's Projects and Monitoring Committee will make a decision at the 25 August 2026 meeting.


Thanks for taking the time to share your views.


Feedback can be made until 11:59pm, Thursday 25 June.

Ōmokoroa we want to hear what you think about the toilet at Precious Family Reserve — where it is now, and what should happen next.

In 2018, as part of planning for the future of the reserve, we asked the community what you wanted to see in the reserve, including whether a toilet might be needed. That feedback helped shape the Precious Family Reserve Concept Plan (2018), which included a toilet in a proposed location. The plan was also part of the Kaimai Reserve Management Plan which was reviewed and consulted on, and adopted by Council in 2025.


Why we are coming back to the community.


We know this space is important to the community.


Precious Family Reserve is used for recreation, quiet enjoyment, and remembrance. We want to make sure any decision about facilities in the reserve reflects how the community uses and values it today.

The original ideas for the reserve were developed during the concept planning phase in 2018. Since then, the reserve has evolved, community expectations have changed, and more people are using the pathway and open space in different ways. We also acknowledge that the gap in time between the original adopted plan and delivery has created some frustration for some in the community. That is why we are re-opening this conversation now.


Council has considered recent feedback, including a review undertaken by the Friends of Precious Family Reserve.


In response, the Projects and Monitoring Committee resolved in April 2026 to return to the community before making a final decision. We want to make sure we are making the right decision for this space — together.


What has happened since the adoption of the 2018 Precious Family Reserve Concept Plan


As the project progressed, technical investigations identified site constraints, including underground infrastructure and flood considerations. This meant the toilet could not be built in the original location shown in the concept plan.


A revised location was proposed, at the Projects and Monitoring Committee Meeting on 10 June 2025, which was approved for installation.


The consented toilet was installed in July 2025. $106,336 (inc GST) has been spent on the project to date on, design, consenting, site investigations, construction, and installation of the toilet.


Since installation, feedback has highlighted differing views about the toilet’s location, the consultation process, and whether the facility is needed in the reserve.


What do you think?


We are asking for your feedback on the three proposed options:


Option 1: Retain the toilet where it is.

Keep the toilet in its current consented location within the Reserve (see map).
No additional cost

Option 2: Relocate the toilet within the reserve
Move the toilet to another suitable site within the Reserve. There are two locations proposed (see map).
Estimated cost: approximately $145,000 for Site A and $185,000 for Site B (which is further away from services e.g. water, power and sewer). Note, Site A and Site B are subject to detailed geotechnical assessment, compliance with District and Regional Plan consent requirements, and compliance with required Finished Floor Levels (FFL).


Option 3: Remove the toilet from the reserve
Remove the toilet from the Reserve and relocate it elsewhere in the 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).



How to have your say


Share your feedback by completing the online feedback form below or picking up a hardcopy feedback form at our Ōmokoroa Library and Service Centre. Alternatively, email your feedback to yourplace@westernbay.govt.nz with 'Precious Family Reserve toilet' in the subject heading.

Council won't be accepting any petitions as formal feedback.


What happens next?


Once consultation closes, we will review all feedback to help inform Council’s further decision on the future of the toilet at Precious Family Reserve. It is anticipated Council's Projects and Monitoring Committee will make a decision at the 25 August 2026 meeting.


Thanks for taking the time to share your views.


Feedback can be made until 11:59pm, Thursday 25 June.