Catherine Stewart Tauranga City Councillor

This week elected members went on a site visit to Omanawa Falls.

The 100-year-old hydro-electric power station is New Zealand's first underground hydro-generating station.

The power station, which carries a NZHPT Category 2 registration, was restored in 2008 by hydro-electric entrepreneur Michael Davis.

Tauranga City Council adopted the Omanawa Falls Power Station Management Plan in 2008. A comprehensive document, it includes historic information and photos. Here is a link to the Plan: http://econtent.tauranga.govt.nz/data/documents/plans/reserve_management/omanawa/omanawa_falls.pdf

Elected members will be discussing options to improve access and the associated budgets during the Annual Plan process.