Money stays local from Hot Water Beach carparks

Progress on Hot Water Beach's tourism-related infrastructure is ahead of schedule due to pay and display parking money being kept locally and spent on improving facilities.

A new toilet design is being developed with representatives of the local community, and is on track for completion in late 2016, before the originally expected 2018 goal.

The pay and display parking introduced in December 2013 at the Hot Water Beach shop carpark has generated over $94,000 in income so far, with a provision for local exemptions.

The Taiwawe Carpark (also known as the Bull Paddock) will have pay-and-display parking introduced for summer 2015-2016. The toilet upgrades include investigation of a facility to be built at the Taiwawe Carpark.

The income from the paid parking means that instead of charging local ratepayers for the cost of tourist-related facilities, the money will come primarily from visitors. The money will be reinvested locally back into Council facilities and services catering to visitors at Hot Water Beach.

"These facilities include toilets and changing rooms, walkways, car parking and other recreational facilities impacted by tourism," says Mercury Bay Area Manager Sam Marshall.

Improvements also include better signage directing visitors to businesses operating at Hot Water Beach village.

Prices

On Tuesday the Mercury Bay Community Board recommended that the shop carpark fees increase to $4 per hour or $25 per day. This will be trialled over the coming summer period.

The Taiwawe Carpark (Bull Paddock) fees will be $2 per hour or $15 per day.

Payments can be made at the both carparks with cash or credit cards.

Local parking exemptions

Exemptions will be available for local residents and ratepayers so they don't have to pay for parking at both sites.

If you live at Hot Water Beach, you need to see our Mercury Bay customer services staff to request a parking permit.

The Board also provided an exemption for one local group. "We recognise the great work by Hot Water Beach Surf Lifesaving including their juniors and exemptions will be provided for them," says Board Chair Paul Kelly.

Additional parking options

There is also a free disability car park, along with 20 minute short term free parking next to the Hot Water Beach shop car park. Drop-off and pick-ups within the paid parking areas are also free.

Free car parking alternatives are also available at the main surf car beach park and along the berms next to the pay and display areas.

The Taiwawe (Bull Paddock) car park was completed last year to provide for overflow parking at Hot Water Beach, particularly over the peak summer period. It has capacity for 69 vehicles.

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