A consent hearing is due to be held today as planning for the new Omokoroa town centre progresses.

Jace Investments Limited are planning to establish a mixed-use commercial town centre, after a years' worth of expert consultations, council and community engagement and thorough planning and fore thought'.

Spokesperson for Jace Hayley Larman says they look forward to presenting their application to independent commissioners on Monday at the hearing.

'Our proposed staged Omokoroa Town Centre is scaled to meet future growth projections for the peninsula and surrounding rural areas that could potentially become the largest population in the Western Bay of Plenty in the next 50 years.”

Hayley says their vision is to provide a place that people can be proud of.

'For the JACE Group, it is not only important to get the logistics, look and feel right but grow the long-term legacy. For us that means helping to foster and support livelihoods, enhance the local lifestyles and create opportunities for the community to connect.”

According to the Jace Group website, the proposal features staged development for retail space, cafes, restaurants, offices, a civic center as well as a possible cinema.

'This stunning multipurpose hub will establish a vibrant town centre to fulfill the shopping, convenience and social needs of the growing Omokoroa community and nearby rural catchments.”

Jace say they have made provisions to keep the coastal boutique feel that Omokoroa currently boasts by introducing a local farmers market and multiple artistic green spaces throughout.

Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Garry Webber says the population of Omokoroa is 'marching towards 12,000” and it was always planned that they would need some sort of town centre facility.

'It's expected to be 12,000 in the next 20-30 years. We'll need some sort of retail facility as part of a town of 12,000 people.”

He says since the 2000's Omokoroa was deemed a growth area for the Western Bay sub region.

Deputy Chair of the Omokoroa Residents and Ratepayers Association John Palmer says the association is largely in support of the plans however the location was not ideal.

But he says there's a need for a town centre wherever it is.

'The advantage is it's privately owned and not funded by Council.”

He says the provision for the civic building isn't large enough and the location isn't ideal.

During the submission process, 76 submissions were received within the statutory time period (20 working days), 46 submissions in support, seven neutral and 19 submissions in opposition.

Common themes in support of the application included that it lessened vehicles travelling to Tauranga, supports family lifestyle, provides community areas, was central to the residential population, would make Ōmokoroa self-sufficient, and provides onsite amenity for higher density living.

Common themes opposing the plans, among others, were the lack of urban design, that the bulk and scale of buildings will change the look and feel of Omokoroa, location of three-storey apartment building overlooking residential area, the location of the childcare centre being inappropriate, and poor location of Civic Building on edge of town centre.

The consent hearing started at 9.30am on Monday at the Western Bay of Plenty head office, 1484 Cameron Road, Tauranga.

The first half of the day will be the presentation, while the afternoon will hear the speakers.

The meeting is open to the public.