FAQs

Primary Health Care Limited (PHCL), the charitable not-for-profit organisation that operates the Waihi Beach Medical Centre, has asked Council for a lease over a portion of the Beach Road Recreation Reserve to build a new purpose-built health facility to support the community’s future needs. 

Council will also be required to reclassify the current recreation reserve as a local purpose reserve with this proposal. Council has not made a final decision. 

The proposal is now open for public consultation so the community can have a say before Councillors vote.

The current Wilson Road clinic is too small and outdated. ·Two temporary cabins are now being used due to lack of space - one without running water. · 

The population quadruples in summer, and the centre often becomes the frontline for urgent care. · A new purpose-built facility is needed to future proof the community’s growing healthcare needs.

The current site is privately owned and unable to renovate or expand.

Many options were explored for a new facility across Waihi Beach. After assessing land availability, cost, size, access and community impact, it was determined with Council that the Beach Road Recreation Reserve was the practical option. 

Key reasons: · 

• Land for purchase in Waihi Beach is limited and high cost. · 
• As a not-for-profit, PHCL cannot buy land and still keep services affordable. · 
• The reserve is large enough for a small building footprint while keeping most of the space as open green area. 
• Only about 30% of the reserve (approximately 1137m²) would be leased and used for the facility, parking and landscaping. The facility will be located on the Marine Avenue side of the reserve, with access from Marine Avenue.

PHCL says the new purpose-built facility will: 

Improve services  

• More clinical rooms and improved urgent care · 
• Capacity for specialist clinics and visiting services · 
• A modern, well-regulated clinical environment · 
• Ability to attract and retain doctors and nurses 

Support training  

• Teaching space for GP registrars and medical students · 
• Helps bring and keep future doctors in the community 

Prepare for emergencies ·

•  Integrated ambulance access · 
• Close to helicopter landing point ·
•  Increased resilience for urgent medical situations 

Enhance sustainability

• Energy- and water-efficient design · 
• Stormwater management · 
• Native landscaping

Around 70% of the reserve would remain open and publicly accessible. Landscaping would include native planting and improvements to support recreational use.

No. PHCL would fund construction, operate the facility, and provide medical services. Council’s role is limited to considering the lease of the land. 

If approved, the lease would be at a community/not for-profit rate, in line with how Council leases reserve land to other community organisations. The land remains in public ownership.

Council only agreed in principle to begin public consultation, as required under the Reserves Act 1977.

A final decision will be made after the community’s feedback is received.

Council consulted the community on a community food garden at this site in 2023.

Although submissions and objections were received, the proposal did not progress to a hearing or final decision.

Council has contacted the group behind the Mara Kai proposal for comment on this new proposal and will provide an update as part of this process.

All documents, including the Council report and PHCL submission, are available on the project webpage: yourplace.govt.nz/proposed-new-waihi -beach-medical-centre

All feedback received will be collated and considered to help inform the decision on the proposal. If you would like to speak to your feedback, please email yourplace@westernbay.govt.nz by 8 February to register.

Following community consultation, a report will be presented to Council in the first quarter, March/April 2026 for consideration and a decision.