Public consultation on Council's proposal to revoke recreation reserve status from an area of land at Marine Park, to enable the University of Waikato to establish a new marine research and educational facility, closes on Friday, 14 December at 5pm.

The proposed site has been identified through an assessment that took current and future activities into account. It is located in the middle of Marine Park, adjacent to the grassed overflow car and trailer park, and meets with 6,952m2 the anticipated size required for the University to establish the facility.

The remainder of the reserve, comprising 105,417m2, will not be affected and will continue to hold its existing recreation reserve status as well as the existing uses. Public access to the water's edge will be maintained with the proposed development set back accordingly. This will maintain a pedestrian link along the coastal edge connecting the northern and southern parts of the reserve.

The proposal and supporting information are available at www.tauranga.govt.nz/marinefacility along with an online submission form. Paper copies are also available at the customer service centre at 91 Willow Street and in libraries.

Submissions close at 5pm on Friday, 14 December 2018.