Western Bay of Plenty District Council is inviting the community to share their views on the future of the Te Puna Village commercial area.

Open days will be on Saturday 27 October, 9am to 12pm and Tuesday 30 October, 4pm to 7pm at the Red Shed (upstairs) behind Farmlands, off Minden Road in Te Puna.

The open days aim to identify what the community wants for the commercial area so that Council can use this information to inform decision making on the area's future.

The area being considered includes all of the businesses located in and around the intersection of State Highway 2 with Te Puna and Minden roads.

Te Puna Village is well advanced with a mix of commerce, industry, accommodation and hospitality services within the current land use zones.

Over the years Council has received proposals from businesses and landowners that ‘test' the existing planning framework and infrastructure capacity for this commercial zone.

To plan for the future it is important Council has a good grasp of the community's views, the aspirations of businesses and landowners and development constraints and opportunities.

Council's Resource Management Manager Phillip Martelli says sensible planning for future land use zoning and infrastructure is essential to ensure Te Puna's commercial growth is properly provided for.

'The areas of feedback we would like from the community include an understanding of how the community uses the commercial area, the value people place on this area and issues and opportunities the community considers may impact on future development of the site.''

Other opportunities for sharing your views are:

• Online: Go to https://haveyoursay.westernbay.govt.nz/tpvillage and fill out the online form with your feedback. Email: Send your feedback to haveyoursay@westernbay.govt.nz.
• Phone: Have a chat to one of the team involved by calling the Council customer service centre on 07 571 8008.

The feedback period closes at 4pm on Friday 9 November 2018. The Have Your Say site will be live from Tuesday 23 October.

The community feedback will be considered by Council in November/December 2018, along with discussion about potential responses to the feedback. Following this, Council will advise the community of the outcome and potential next steps.