Minutes of Waihī Beach Community Board Meeting

Waihī Beach Community Board Meeting Minutes

4 August 2025

MINUTES OF Western Bay of Plenty District Council
Waihī Beach Community Board Meeting No. WBC25-4
HELD IN THE Te Ara Mātauranga (Waihī Beach Library and Community Hub), 106 Beach Road, Waihī Beach (Kotahi and Kaitiaki rooms)
ON Monday, 4 August 2025 AT 5.30pm

1 Present

Chairperson D Simpson, Deputy H Guptill, Member R Goudie, Member W Stevenson, Cr A Henry and Cr A Sole.

2 In Attendance

R Leahy (Senior Governance Advisor).

3 Apologies

Apology

Resolution WBC25-4.1

Moved: Chairperson D Simpson

Seconded: Cr A Sole

That the apology for lateness from Cr A Henry be accepted.

Carried

4 Consideration of Late Items

Nil

5 Declarations of Interest

Nil

6 Public Excluded Items

Nil

CHANGE to the order of business

Resolution WBC25-4.2

Moved: Chairperson D Simpson

Seconded: Member W Stevenson

That in accordance with Standing Order 9.4 the order of business be changed to allow presentations to be heard before public forum.

Carried

7 Presentations

7.1 Presentation - Waihī Beach Skatepark Update

Members of the Skatepark Committee, Waihī Beach Boardriders Club, and students of Waihī College and Waihī Beach School, were in attendance to provide an update to the Board on the Skatepark project in Waihī Beach. They noted the below points:

· The current skatepark was not fit for purpose and needed to be upgraded.

· A well-built skatepark could enable a greater recreational precinct to be developed for the community.

· The current skatepark was an outdated and basic design that did not allow skaters to develop their skills to a higher level.

· The design of the skatepark would be inclusive and include elements which would allow for access by wheelchair users.

· The Skatepark Committee was seeking more funding from Council to leverage more funding from external funders.

5.59pm Cr A Henry entered the hui.

· The reserve land available meant that the skatepark could be expanded as funds became available.

· There were economic benefits for the community if the skatepark was upgraded, as more people would come to the town to use the facility.

· The total cost of the build would be $800,000 (plus GST), however, barbeques and seating would be an additional cost, which would also require funding.

8 Public forum

8.1 John Clements - Katikati 150th Anniversary

John Clements, member of the Katikati 150^th Anniversary Committee was in attendance to provide an update to the Board on the event. He noted the below points:

· An event to commemorate the arrival of Ulster Irish in Katikati would be held on 12-14 September 2025.

· There would be several events held in Katikati over the weekend.

8.2 Wade Norton - Rock Climbing Proposal

Mr Norton, was in attendance to provide an update to the Board on his proposal to develop rock climbing routes in Waihī Beach. He noted the below points:

· Mr Norton was waiting to hear back from council staff about his proposal.

· He had engaged with Tangata Whenua on the proposal, who were supportive of it.

· The group had secured funding for the project, however, this was time limited to 1 October 2025, therefore they needed written permission from council as soon as possible. It was noted that there was no cost to council for the project.

The Community Board advised that they would follow the matter up with council staff.

8.3 Wayne Stevenson - Farewell to Departing Community Board Members

Member Wayne Stevenson noted that Cr A Henry was not running for re-election as a Councillor, and Chairperson D Simpson was not running for re-election as a Waihī Beach Community Board member. He thanked them for their service on the Board and in the community.

9 Minutes for Confirmation

9.1 Minutes of the Waihī Beach Community Board Meeting held on 9 June 2025

Resolution WBC25-4.3

Moved: Chairperson D Simpson

Seconded: Cr A Sole

1. That the Minutes of the Waihī Beach Community Board Meeting held on 9 June 2025 as circulated with the agenda be confirmed as a true and correct record with the following amendment:

· Brian Connery be corrected to Brian Comrie.

2. That the Chairperson’s electronic signature be inserted into the confirmed minutes.

Carried

10 Reports

10.1 Waihī Beach Community Board - Workshop Notes - 7 July 2025

The Board considered the notes from the workshop on 7 July 2025 and no discussion was held.

10.2 Waihī Beach Community Board - Chairperson's Report - August 2025

The Board considered a report from the Chairperson dated 4 August 2025. An overview of the report was provided, with further discussion as below:

· The Board was not in a position to commit funding to the Skatepark project at this meeting, however, it was suggested that the new Board consider committing funding to the project.

· The Board were concerned with the response from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council regarding the issue of Black Swans and Canada Geese in the harbour.

Resolution WBC25-4.4

Moved: Cr A Henry

Seconded: Member R Goudie

That the Waihī Beach Community Board recommends that the incoming Board consider the Waihī Beach Skatepark project and any funding mechanisms to support the project.

Carried

Resolution WBC25-4.5

Moved: Chairperson D Simpson

Seconded: Member W Stevenson

That the Waihī Beach Community Board recommends that the incoming Board advocate for the issue of Black Swans and Canada Geese in Tauranga Moana.

Carried

Resolution WBC25-4.6

Moved: Chairperson D Simpson

Seconded: Cr A Sole

That the Chairperson’s report dated 4 August 2025 titled ‘Waihī Beach Community Board Report – August 2025’ be received.

Carried

10.3 Waihī Beach Community Board - Councillor's Report - August 2025

The Board considered a report from Councillor Henry dated 4 August 2025. An overview of the report was provided.

Resolution WBC25-4.7

Moved: Cr A Henry

Seconded: Member W Stevenson

That Councillor Henry’s report dated 4 August 2025 titled ‘Waihī Beach Community Board – Councillor’s Report – August 2025’ be received.

Carried

10.4 Waihī Beach Community Plan - Community Board Action Plan 2025-2028

The Board considered a report from the Community and Strategic Relationships Manager dated 4 August 2025. The report was taken as read, with further discussion as below:

· The Board queried if the Community Plan would be published on council’s website.

Resolution WBC25-4.8

Moved: Chairperson D Simpson

Seconded: Deputy H Guptill

1. That the Community and Strategic Relationships Manager’s report dated 4^th August 2025 titled ‘Waihī Beach Community Plan – Community Board Action Plan 2025-2028’ be received.

2. That the report relates to an issue that is considered to be of low significance in terms of Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy.

3. That the Waihī Beach Community Board receives the reviewed actions from the Waihi Beach Community Plan, and endorses the proposed actions for the next three years, as set out in the document attached as Attachment One to this report,

4. That the actions for the next three years set out in the document will form the key work programme for the Waihī Beach Community Board for the next three years.

Carried

10.5 Request for funds - Waihī Beach Summer Ambassador Programme

The Board considered a report from the Compliance and Monitoring Manager dated 4 August 2025. The report was taken as read, with further discussion as below:

· The Board felt that there were benefits of having a summer ambassador programme, however, there were concerns around the scope of the role. They felt the role should be orientated to Waihī Beach and be a community-led initiative.

· It was suggested that to achieve a more community and visitor experience focus in the role, it might be better suited to sit with Waihī Beach Events and Promotions or another similar entity rather than council’s Compliance and Monitoring Team.

· It was suggested that the incoming Board work with council’s Community Team to develop a bespoke summer ambassador programme.

Resolution WBC25-4.9

Moved: Member R Goudie

Seconded: Member W Stevenson

1. That the Compliance and Monitoring manager’s report dated 21 July 2025 titled Request for funds Waihi Beach Summer Ambassador programme be received.

2. That the report relates to an issue that is considered to be of low significance in terms of Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy.

3. That the Waihī Beach Community Board recommend that the incoming Board consider progressing work to develop a bespoke summer ambassador’s programme.

Carried

10.6 Waihī Beach Community Board - Transportation Projects

The Board considered a report from the Transportation Project Engineer dated 4 August 2025. The report was taken as read, with further discussion as below:

· The Board felt that two lights in Wilson Road carpark was a good starting point and more could be added at a later date, if required.

Resolution WBC25-4.10

Moved: Member R Goudie

Seconded: Member W Stevenson

1. That the Transportation Project Engineer’s report dated 4 August 2025 titled ‘Waihī Beach Community Board Transportation Projects’ be received.

2. That the report relates to an issue that is considered to be of low significance in terms of Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy.

3. In respect to the Waihī Beach Welcome Signs Project,

a. The Waihī Beach Community Board approves additional $8,000 from the Waihī Beach Roading Account for professional service costs related to obtaining a resource consent for the Waihī Beach Welcome Signs Project.

Carried

Resolution WBC25-4.11

Moved: Member W Stevenson

Seconded: Deputy H Guptill

4. In respect to the Bowentown Boulevard Footpath Extension Project,

a. That the Waihī Beach Community Board approves up to $2,500 from the Waihī Beach Roading Account for the construction of 8m of 1.5m wide concrete path at the Bowentown Boulevard turning head.

Carried

Resolution WBC25-4.12

Moved: Chairperson D Simpson

Seconded: Member R Goudie

5. In respect to the Wilson Road Car Park Lighting Project,

a. That the Waihī Beach Community Board recommends that Council approves maximum expenditure of $25,000 from the Waihī Beach Town Centre Development Fund for the supply and installation of 2 solar powered lights at Wilson Road car park (25 Wilson Road).

Carried

10.7 Waihī Beach Community Board - Projects and Operations Report - August 2025

The Board considered a report from the Senior Governance Advisor dated 4 August 2025. The report was taken as read, with further discussion as below:

· The Board requested that staff work with the Board regarding locations for the outdoor furniture for the Wilson Road – Edinburgh Street Pedestrian Link project.

Resolution WBC25-4.13

Moved: Chairperson D Simpson

Seconded: Cr A Sole

1. That the Senior Governance Advisor’s report dated 4 August 2025 titled ‘Waihī Beach Community Board - Projects and Operations Report – August 2025’ be received.

2. That the Waihī Beach Community Board approve the following expenditure from the Waihī Beach Community Board Reserves Account for outdoor furniture for the Wilson Road – Edinburgh Street Pedestrian Link project:

Option 1 - $1,990 Rendezvous Seat Painted

AND

Option 2 - $956 Rendezvous Bench Painted

AND

Option 4 - $3,450 Rendezvous Accessible Picnic Set Painted

Carried

10.8 Waihī Beach Community Board - Financial Report - June 2025

The Board considered a report from the Finance Partner dated 4 August 2025. The report was taken as read.

Resolution WBC25-4.14

Moved: Cr A Sole

Seconded: Member R Goudie

That the Finance Partner report dated 04 August 2025 titled ‘Waihī Beach Community Board – Financial Report – June 2025’, be received.