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Words from the Western Bay Mayor with |
You might have seen announcements last week where the Western Bay of Plenty Regional Deal was signed.
If your reaction was something like, “Okay … but what does that actually mean?” – you’re not alone.
So, here’s the simple version.
The regional deal is about getting the infrastructure we need, in the right order, aligning investment by local government with that of central government and with more certainty about getting it delivered.
It doesn’t mean everything will happen overnight. But it does mean we now have a clearer, more joined-up way of moving forward.
The Western Bay is one of the fastest-growing parts of the country. That growth is already being felt – on our roads, in housing demand, and in pressure on services.
The deal recognises that. It backs the work that’s already been done and helps turn it into a more certain pathway for delivery.
For the Western Bay, that includes:
Takitimu North Link stage two (Te Puna to Ōmokoroa) – will now be prioritised by the 2027 Government Policy Statement on land transport and funded from the National Land Transport Fund. Although an existing Road of National Significance, uncertainty of delivery remains until funding is in place.
The Katikati Bypass – A Crown uplift in funding means there is now a clear pathway to funding and construction.
Local roading improvements across key growth areas to be agreed and funded by the Funding Assistance Rate (FAR), including Ōmokoroa (Francis Rd and Francis Link Rd), Te Puke (including Seddon St to Bell Rd connection), Rangiuru and Young Rd, and the wider western corridor such as Keenan Rd, Belk Rd and Kaweroa Drive extension to State Highway 36.
Funding and financing opportunities for the provision of waters infrastructure in the Eastern Growth Corridor to enable new housing and growth.
The redevelopment and upgrade of Tauranga Hospital, supporting the whole sub‑region.
Planning and consideration of new or expanded education facilities, including the high school in Ōmokoroa.
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Regional leaders who signed the deal: Western Bay of Plenty Mayor James Denyer (left), Bay of Plenty Regional Council chairwoman Matemoana McDonald and Tauranga Mayor Mahe Drysdale. Photo / Bijou Johnson
These aren’t new ideas – they’re projects that have been discussed and planned for years, even if not everyone will be familiar with each of them.
What’s different now is that they’re connected together, with more certainty about how and when they will be delivered.
Alongside this, there’s been a bit of confusion – which is understandable.
Some of that comes from earlier announcements and information still circulating. For example, it was already announced back in December that were TNL2 to be built, it would be tolled. That is not a new aspect of the project.
Other projects have previously been included in wider planning work – that can feel like they are all ready to go, but without a funding pathway, nothing can happen. Those pathways are now in place, which means delivery is more certain.
This deal has not been agreed in a vacuum. It is the outcome of nearly three years of work by our council and the other deal partners to achieve this result. It builds on longstanding growth plans that have existed for some time.
This deal recognises that work and builds on it. We’ve done the planning. Now we’re moving into the doing – with more certainty about how we get there.
The next few months are critical. Between now and September, councils and central government will be working together to agree on how projects will be sequenced, funded and delivered.
Not everything can happen at once. There will be natural prioritisation – and usually that starts with roading, because that’s what unlocks housing and growth.
That’s what we’re now focused on – turning long‑talked‑about priorities into reality.