$22m waterfront clean and simple, says Mayor | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

A revised $22 million plan, certain to be the last change for the long-awaited Tauranga downtown waterfront development, provides larger spaces for events, more playing areas and easier access to the water's edge.

Landscape architects Wraight and Associates, who designed the Wellington waterfront, have drawn in two large grassed and lime chip areas for outdoor events at the northern and southern ends of the reclaimed Strand waterfront.

At the northern end, opposite Harington and Hamilton streets on the other side of the railway track, the pohutukawa-flanked events area would be large enough to cater for 5000 people.

It could also be used for markets and temporary grandstands to watch rowing and waka ama regattas.

The southern events area - one of the last sections that will be redeveloped - will be flattened and replace the under-used Edgewater Fan.

The middle part of the waterfront will be a cluster of playing areas, including the existing children's water feature, for families and serviced by a cafe and toilets.

A wooden, instead of paved, boardwalk will meander along the harbour's edge - at some points hanging over the water - from the Sebel Trinity Wharf Hotel to the Matapihi railway bridge just past the Harbourside restaurant.

Three wide walkways, with entry plazas, will link the central business district and bring people to the water's edge from Masonic Park, Wharf St, Spring St and The Strand. There will be a fourth entrance opposite Hamilton St.

The Wraight design opens up the prime waterfront and has less landscaping that the Transurban Consortium concept adopted in 2001.

The waterfront re-development will also include the new Coronation pier, pontoons and moorings, two declamations (creating inner harbours) with steps down to the water, and two Wharewaka (boat houses).

It will be pedestrian friendly - there will be no carparking but drop-off points will be allowed.

Tauranga City councillors will meet on Thursday to decide whether to run with the new waterfront plan, estimated to cost $21.7m - including re-developing Dive Crescent - instead of the $30m Transurban concept, based on 2005 costings.

Stuart Crosby, Tauranga mayor, said "I'd like to think this is the last plan. I'm confident it will work - it's simple, clean and functional.

"The earlier design had problems because there was too much clutter," Mr Crosby said.

Paul Bowker, chairman of the city centre steering committee, said the waterfront should become the feature playground in Tauranga.

"It will be a destination, and we want to transfer the energy of the waterfront to the rest of the city centre. People can play on the waterfront and then walk back to The Strand and other parts for dining and shopping," Mr Bowker said.