The Thames-Coromandel District Council approved $304,000 to go towards the development of a car park along with road sealing at Lees Road in Hahei this week.

Council is now working with a private landowner on perpetual access and a financial agreement for the car park which will initially provide 150 parking spaces and up to 500 spaces in the future.

The Thames-Coromandel District Council has approved $304,000 to go towards the development of a car park and road sealing on Lees Road in Hahei. Photo: Google Maps

The $304k will go towards concept designs, consents and legal requirements for the carpark, and 1.6km of sealing from the top of the hill to the Stella Evered Reserve on Lees Road.

It was one of two decisions relating to council's Coromandel Great Walks Project.

Council's project executive Garry Towler says the sealing and car park will accommodate the expected increased traffic volumes.

'Which is why the $304k of existing district budget has been brought forward a year earlier,” says Garry.

'The Great Walks project including the sealing of Lees Rd and the Lees Rd car park is funded through district rates and external funding. The Pa Rd car park is funded out of the Mercury Bay ward which was agreed in the 2015-2025 Long Term Plan.”

TCDC has allocated $2.5 million to the project, the Department of Conservation has contributed $450k, Lotteries Significant Fund has provided $1m, and Trust Waikato has contributed $330k.

Council also has a revenue generation strategy for on-going funding of the walks, while revenue generated by fees from car parks near the Walks will be reinvested back into infrastructure and the Mercury Bay ward.

At the time of preparing the budgets, $1m was estimated to cover Lees Road improvements ($600k) and the new car park ($400k), but further research indicates capital costs for the car park will be $420,000 and sealing of Lees Road will be $700,000.

Following design and consenting work, more accurate cost estimates will be brought to council early next year.

'We're also collecting traffic data over this peak summer period,” adds Garry, 'and we'll be in a position to determine if road widening is required for north of Lees Road, estimated at $100k and totalling $1.22m.”

The first Great Walks route has sufficient funding available to fully complete the walkway from the ‘Blowhole' to Whitianga. This includes structures, viewing platforms, fencing and safety measures.

To learn more visit the Thames-Coromandel District Council's Coromandel Great Walks Project webpage.