Ohiwa Harbour's Future

A document that will guide the harbour's future will open for submissions soon. And the organisations that worked with the community to develop it need your feedback to make sure they have got it right.

The Draft Ohiwa Harbour Strategy is the result of an intensive series of discussions with the local community, and others. It was put together by Environment Bay of Plenty, Whakatane District Council, Opotiki District Council and local iwi.

The strategy sets out a vision for Ohiwa Harbour. It will be used to shape planning and management, which means "it is not just another piece of paper", explains Environment Bay of Plenty councillor Malcolm Whitaker.

"This strategy needs to express the community's vision for their harbour. It will have a significant impact on the area's future, so it is extremely important that we get it right. To do this, we need people to read through it and give us their thoughts on it."

Environment Bay of Plenty, the coordinating agency, is sending an information pack to every household in the Ohiwa Harbour catchment during the week starting Monday 23 October. Staff have scheduled two public information sessions and a hui for the next few weeks, and will attend the Ohope Craft Market on Saturday 4 November.

Mr Whitaker hopes residents will make the most of the opportunity. "The public forums will be quite informal - just drop in for a chat and we'll go over the strategy's main points with you. Or, if you live in the harbour area, you can read the information you receive in the mail and fill out the submission form in the pack."

The Draft Ohiwa Harbour Strategy identifies issues, and key community values and aspirations. It recommends actions that will help take the harbour and its catchment "from where it is now to where people want it to be in future".

Key issues include:

* Managing development

* Kaitiakitanga - iwi's active engagement in resource management

* Protecting the health of the harbour and the waterways that run into it

* Kaimoana - safeguarding fisheries

* Recreation

The strategy promotes the integration of the wide variety of plans, processes and practices used by councils, government departments, local iwi, and other community members.

Submissions open on Monday 23 October and close on 15 December.

Please call Environment Bay of Plenty on 0800 ENV BOP (368 267) for a copy of the draft strategy or go to www.envbop.govt.nz. Copies of the strategy and information packs are available at various locations, including local libraries and district councils.

Public information sessions

Monday 30 October - any time 5-8pm - Ohiwa Family Holiday Park, Ohiwa Harbour Road Saturday 4 November - Ohope Craft Market Tuesday 14 November - any time 5-8pm - Port Ohope Yacht Club, Harbour Rd, Ohope Sunday 19 November - 10am start - Roimata Marae, Kutarere