Draft parking strategy out now to help manage visitor numbers

A draft parking strategy and action plan has been developed to provide better planning and infrastructure for public parking, along with transport and tourist signage information within the Mercury Bay South area.

"Some of our busiest visitor destinations like Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach and the first route under development in our Walks project, lie within the Mercury Bay South area and so a number of elements need to be addressed, including car parking, the expansion of a shuttle service from Whitianga, a park and ride service and visitor signage and information " says Allan Tiplady, our Area Manager for Mercury Bay.

The draft strategy is based on feedback from key stakeholders and our Coromandel Walks Project partners, DOC and Ngati Hei and an independent traffic report.

"What this draft parking strategy does is looks at how our Council and communities are responding to current congestion and parking issues and how to deal with the demands future growth associated with tourism and growth," says Mr Tiplady.

The draft parking strategy is accompanied by a high level action plan which sets out recommendations for different areas within the Mercury Bay South Area.

Some of the recommendations include:

1. Expanding the existing shuttle service that runs from Ferry Landing through to Hot Water Beach so it include multiple stops at new and existing points.The provision of a shuttle bus and park and ride service from the Hahei Village Entrance Car Park (currently under development) up to Grange Rd, that runs over the peak demand period for a minimum of 9am until 6pm and additional hours depending on demand and daily low tide timing.

2. Review existing car parking arrangements at the Hot Water Beach main car park and the Bullock Paddock (Taiwawe) car park and implement appropriate charging rates to manage demand.

3. Promote Lee’s Road Car park (currently in design phase and planned to open in 2017) as the facility to use if walking to Cathedral Cove or the walks beyond it, to reduce traffic going to Hahei Village. Read the full draft parking strategy and action plan here.

"This draft parking strategy when it is finally endorsed by Council will be reviewed annually, to provide the flexibility to amend and change options and tailor solutions to address parking and traffic issues," says Mr Tiplady.

There is still time to send in feedback about the draft parking strategy. If you want to add in comments please email kirstin.richmond@tcdc.govt.nz before Friday 30 September.

Coromandel Walks Project update

The full route of our first planned Walk will link Whitianga through to Hot Water Beach and longer term, span north towards Kuaotunu and south to Tairua, Pauanui and beyond.

The Walk route is being constructed in a staged approach.

Stage 1 is approximately 10km in length and ties in the iconic "Blowhole," at Te Pupuha Recreation Reserve at Hahei through to Whitianga township via the Purangi Estuary and Cooks Beach. It takes in Public Conservation Land (DOC), Council reserve and Stella Evered Reserve Land. Some updates about the project.

Andlinger Track - Health and safety work has been completed at the "Andlinger walking Track," with a number of pine trees being removed from around the newly-built viewing platform. This will open up views north and also back towards Cathedral Cove and the Gallipoli WW1 Memorial Forest, which is on the existing Cathedral Cove walk.

This new walking route, unofficially known as the Andlinger Track, is approximately 1100m long and will be open to the public shortly, with an official launch in October and is a side-route track linking into the first route of the Walk. Some updates on the project.

Purangi Estuary crossing - Expressions of Interest were called for a "dry-feet option for getting around the Purangi Estuary as part of the Walks route. A low-tide option for crossing the Purangi Estuary currently exists and with a general track tidy up, appropriate safety warning, directional information and signage, this could provide an interim feasible "wet feet" option for walkers while further stages for a more viable "dry feet" crossing are under consideration.

"Expressions of Interest ranged from a minimal impact low tide crossing, through to a boardwalk and bridge," says our Walks Project Manager Ross Ashby.

"Some clear feedback included the importance of any crossing to preserve the existing environment and to be aware of conflict with existing users of the Purangi, which is very busy in summer time with swimming and boaties,"says Mr Ashby.

"Some felt a bridge would be an attraction in itself and offer the most direct route. We had four strong EOIs, however there was one standout provider, who we are asking to now submit a full proposal with further information".

Once a fully developed proposal (6-8 weeks) is received our Council will be in a position to inform communities and those living around the Purangi in more detail.Hahei Village Entrance Car park - We are continuing with the limited notified consent process, which will close in just over two weeks. Following this we will know when we can start with construction of the car park.

Lees Road Car Park - Work still continues around detail of design of car parking and roading at Lees Road. Stormwater design and details around the kiosk and toilets are being worked through at present. At this point we are still working towards being in the position of taking plans to key stakeholders and interested parties by the end of August, however we will keep people informed if this changes. Construction date is still scheduled to finish for May 2017.

Click here for the full details on the project.

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