TIF Investment Program 2019
Community Consultation Feedback
In January and February 2019, TCDC undertook a community consultation. There were 61 submissions and you can read TCDC’s feedback summary here. Hahei Central Toilets and Tourism Walkway summary of Consultation and Solutions.
Ross Ashby will be discussing the report at the AGM on Saturday, 20th April. Prior to the meeting, we strongly recommend you read the document. However, here are some key points
- There were 61 Walkway and 45 Central Toilet submissions
- Parking on Hahei Beach Road remains a open issue.
- Numerous comments about walk along beach from Hahei Beach Front Car Park.
- Better signage needed.
- Keep new toilet in current location, 4 Pan colonial design.
Background
As many of you will know, TCDC was successful in securing $1.427m from the Tourist Investment Fund (TIF). Click here for the official announcement. TCDC will contribute additional funding, so that overall, we can look forward to receiving an investment of almost $2m. This is one of the largest investments in Hahei for a while, so we need to work with TCDC to make sure the money is spent wisely.
The funds will be invested in 3 areas
- Expand the Visitor Car Park. When complete the car park will have a capacity of approximately 500 vehicles.
- Build safe, all weather walking paths from the Visitor Car Park to the Beach, connecting with the DoC Walk around the cliff to Cathedral Cove.
- Re-build the Community Toilets near the community centre playground
On this page, we have provided preliminary information where the funds will be spent and some ideas and issues for you to consider.
TCDC has now developed preliminary designs and is seeking your input. Click here to see the designs and have you say on the project.
We need some creative ideas! If you have any suggestions, please email Ross Ashby, TCDC Project Manager.
Construction is planned to commence after Easter 2019 next year so we have time to develop wonderful designs.
Preliminary Overview of What is Proposed
With the growth in visitors to Hahei, the recently completed 180 vehicle design capacity Visitor Car Park is being fully utilised. For example, over Labour Weekend 2018, over 300 vehicles were parked on some days.
The car park will be extended to cover all the space available, covering the area which as once an overflow pond for the sewage treatment plant. To see a preliminary drawing click here CarParkExt002CarParkExt001
Here are Issues/Options to Consider
Kotare Domain
This is a beautiful underdeveloped area in Hahei. With an all weather track passing through it, there are a number of options, such as
- Picnic area with permanent seats and tables
- Statue area for local artists to display their creations
- Expanded garden area for birds
Any other ideas?
But we must make sure local residents are not disturbed by increase walking traffic.
Hahei Beach Road Walk
It is planned to build an all weather Hoggin path from Grange Road to the Hahei Beach Car Park. This will replace the temporary walking path installed January. Some issues
- How will it interface with residents driveways?
- The path should be landscaped with decorative rocks/shrubs to define it and provide safety from vehicles on the road. Any suggestions?
- Should we retain the grass berms rather than a Hoggin path? Experience shows grass wears out over summer.
Any other suggestions?
Walk from Beach Car Park to DoC Track
This is the most challenging area. The Walk will travel past a beautiful Pōhutukawa, over the Tutaritari Stream, along the sand dunes to connect with the start of the DoC track. 100,000 people walked the DoC track last year, a 50% increase on the previous year, so we can expect this path to be used a lot. Here are some issues to be considered.
- How do we protect the beautiful Pōhutukawa at the start of the walk?
- A wooden bridge is proposed to cross the Tutaritari Stream. What is the best location for the bridge? How much board walk is needed on either side of the bridge?
- What is the best route through the dunes?
- How can we protect the dotterels that regularly nest in this section of Hahei Beach?
- Should we plant this section to stabilise the dunes?
- How can we protect the privacy of neighbours?
Walk from Visitor Car Park to Beach via Michelle Lane, John Spear Ave, Harsant Ave.
This walk will provide an alternative option for people to go beach. It is proposed to build an all weather walk around the edge of the Kotare Reserve. Some issues are
- How much will it be used? Should it connect to other walks and parks such as the Memorial Garden and the Wigmore Stream walk.
- What landscaping should be done around the Kotare Reserve?
- How can ensure the privacy of neighbours is protected?
Any other ideas?
Community Toilet Upgrade
The Community Toilets will be replaced with new larger toilets to cope with the number of visitors we receive. Some issues to be considered are
- Should the new toilets be located on exactly the same location?
- What should be the overall architectural design style? Similar to the Community Hall?
- How will they integrate into the area? An extended verandah for parents looking after children at the playground?
Any other ideas?
General
This is a large investment in Hahei and so we need to make sure it used to wisely. Here are issues to consider
- Should some of the TIF funds be spent on a footpath along Hahei Beach Road from Visitor Car Park to Pa Road. There is no path there now, and it is a very hazardous area. It should be funded from Mercury Bay Community Footpath fund but this fund seems has been used for the Whitianga Town Centre upgrade. We have requested TCDC to install a foot path there for many years with no success. Both the Walks and the footpath and essential and we should not be forced to choose one or the other.
- Are the Walks in the right locations? For instance, should be build a walk along Wigmore Stream to the beach?
Any other ideas?
What is a Hoggin Path??
In case you have never heard of a Hoggin Path, it is compactable ground cover that is composed of a mixture of clay, gravel, and sand or granite dust. The material is aesthetically adjusted to each location and is lower maintenance than gravel alone since it does not need regular raking. Once laid, the surface is somewhat permeable to water and therefore does not easily hold puddles or generate rapid surface runoff.
To see an example of a Hoggin Path, go to Buffalo Beach, Whitianga
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