Coastal land possible for second regional park

A coastal property near Ohiwa Harbour may have a future as the second regional park in the Bay of Plenty.

Environment Bay of Plenty has purchased 20ha at Bryans Beach that has the potential to become a regional park at a later date. The property contains several pa sites, includes areas of pasture, bush and wetland, and offers superb sea views from higher points. However, it is currently being farmed and is not open to the public.

Regional development committee chairman Athole Herbert says the regional council bought the land because it wants to develop a regional park in the vicinity of Ohiwa Harbour. “We are not sure whether it will work out yet, but we hope this land will become part of the growing network of regional parks in the Bay of Plenty.“

The Bay of Plenty’s first regional park, the Papamoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park, opened to the public late last year. In 2003, Environment Bay of Plenty approved a policy that allows it to secure land for use by the public. The policy gives priority to coastal peninsulas and spits, harbour headlands, salt marshes and land by lakes, rivers and wetlands.

Mr Herbert says the council’s intention is to develop a network of regional parks in the Bay of Plenty.

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