A group of Hahei locals want the town's existing traffic problems fixed before they'll offer support to the Coromandel Great Walks Project.

The $4.77 million Thames-Coromandel District Council project aims to link the whole district through a variety of great walks around the coastline and across the spine of the Coromandel.

The Hahei Ratepayers Association and Stakeholders Group will not offer support to the Coromandel Great Walks Project until the town's exsiting traffic problems are fixed. Photo: File

On June 17, the project was awarded a $1m grant by the Lotteries Significant Project Fund which will be used for the first walk that goes through Public Conservation Land, council reserve and Stella Evered Reserve land.

It's been reported the Hahei Ratepayers Association and Stakeholders Group will not offer its support to the project until council comes up with a plan to mitigate traffic congestion in Hahei during the summer.

Speaking to stuff.co.nz, Hahei Ratepayers Association deputy chair John North says the group felt the walk should not begin in the Hahei area.

'Our infrastructure just cannot handle yet another tourist attraction until long term future proof strategies are implemented – and this will take time,” reports stuff.co.nz.

John adds the issues were not exclusive to traffic as the village has five different water supply sources which is a precious commodity on the Coromandel during summer.

Mercury Bay area manager Sam Marshall has responded saying council was two weeks into preparing a 12-week traffic management plan with Hahei as its main focus.

Sam says council also planned to develop two additional car parks, with one on existing council-owned land and the other on Lees Rd,.

'We acknowledge the concerns that have been raised by the Hahei Ratepayers Association about existing traffic and potential future issues with the great walk,” reports stuff.co.nz. 'We are working through those with them.”

The ratepayers association says they supported the council's plan to develop a permanent pay and display carpark on the fringes of Hahei as well as the proposal to develop a second car park.