Community consultation on tourism related infrastructure for Hahei, like the proposed car park on Lees Road, will be taking place throughout summer.

Over the next two months Thames-Coromandel District Council will hold several drop-in sessions and meetings in Hahei, Cooks Beach and Whitianga – with the first taking place at the Hahei Community Centre today from 10am until 3pm.

The nine sessions are an opportunity for council staff to answer the community's questions, show maps, and further discuss plans and technical reports, as well as listen to residents' and ratepayers' concerns about how tourism is impacting local communities.

Thames-Coromandel Mayor Sandra Goudie says with the majority of residents and ratepayers in town over summer it's the perfect opportunity to have further consultation before council decides whether to lodge resource consent for the development of a new car park.

'We want to make sure that we are getting a very clear and representative feedback from all our communities before we progress any further with plans.

'We are also acutely aware of the burgeoning tourist numbers to Hahei, as it's the gateway to the iconic Cathedral Cove, which is putting increased pressure on our current infrastructure like car parks and toilets."

Feedback forms will be made available at each session so people can put their comments in writing. Forms are also available from council's Whitianga Area office or online on the TCDC website.

'We are very interested in feedback from the wider community at this stage, and will be compiling and considering the community's views thereafter.

'This feedback is important as it will allow us to make any changes required before we proceed with a publicly notified resource consent.”

The next meeting will take place at Hahei Community Centre on Saturday, December 3, from 10am.

More information and details on how to submit and view the relevant documentation will be available on the Thames-Coromandel District Council website from Monday, December 5.

DROP-IN SESSIONS SCHEDULE:

• THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1 – 10am-3pm:
  DROP-IN - Hahei community centre
  
  
• SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3 – 10am:
  MEETING - Lees Road Residents at Hahei Community Centre

• THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8 – 10am - 3pm:
  DROP-IN - Hahei community centre
  
  
• THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15 – 10am - 3pm:
  DROP-IN - Cooks Beach Hall
  
  
• WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4:
  DISPLAY AND ATTENDANCE - Cooks Beach Gala
  
  
• THURSDAY, JANUARY 5:
  DISPLAY AND ATTENDANCE - Hahei Gala
  
  
• SUNDAY, JANUARY 8:
  DISPLAY and ATTENDANCE – Mercury Bay School Seaside Carnival
  
  
• THURSDAY, JANUARY 19 – 10am - 3pm:
  DROP-IN - Hahei Community Centre
  
  
• SATURDAY, JANUARY 28 (IF NEEDED) – 10am - 3pm:
  DROP-IN - Hahei Community Centre