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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

4 Comments

  • Good morning, Interesting to read your plans for Hahei. My only concern at this stage would be off street parking for those on Hahei Beach Road that will be affected by the new footpath. The berms are wide at this point, can the foot path be on the side nearer the road but with planting or a barrier for safety. This may allow residents to still have one parking space on the berm. Or if it is deemed necessary to have path away from the road then install parallel parking areas along that stretch. ie : Don’t put the footpath right in the middle of the berm as this will not give any on street/off site parking to those properties.
    I hope you can envisage what I am trying to explain.
    Thanks Jane Fergusson

  • Good morning,

    I don’t see anywhere included cleaning up the polluted Wigmore Stream. I have been a house owner in Hahei for over 30 years and the issue of the pollution of Wigmore stream has been an issue all this time. Hahei is a premier New Zealand tourist attraction and the stream that feeds into this wonderful beach is polluted and children can’t swim in it and people are advised not to swim in the little bay on an outgoing tide. SHAME on us all.
    WHY HASEN’T CLEANING UP WIGMORE STREAM BEEN GIVEN PRIORITY.
    I understand from some studies that have been done that the pollution comes from run off from farms at the head waters. Surely a first step is to require farmers to plant a buffer zone of trees down both banks of the stream for its entire path through farmland.
    I look forward to some action on this issue which has been around for over 30 years.

  • Trevor Bayly
    13 NOVEMBER 2018 AT 11:17 AM
    Good morning,
    I don’t see anywhere included cleaning up the polluted Wigmore Stream. I have been a house owner in Hahei for over 30 years and the issue of the pollution of Wigmore stream has been an issue all this time. Hahei is a premier New Zealand tourist attraction and the stream that feeds into this wonderful beach is polluted and children can’t swim in it and people are advised not to swim in the little bay on an outgoing tide. SHAME on us all.
    WHY HASEN’T CLEANING UP WIGMORE STREAM BEEN GIVEN PRIORITY.
    I understand from some studies that have been done that the pollution comes from run off from farms at the head waters. Surely a first step is to require farmers to plant a buffer zone of trees down both banks of the stream for its entire path through farmland.
    I look forward to some action on this issue which has been around for over 30 years

    Thank you, Trevor, for the conversation the other day. I will put this out there publicly since your statement is in the public forum through the Hahei community page.
    I am sure the HBRA will not respond about farming.

    Farming and Wigmore Stream

    Although not legally obligated as extensive dry stock farmers some of us have already done something to alleviate our part in the Wigmore stream issue.
    1. Personally, most of my Wigmore stream catchment is now contained in Lead foot festival. The area within Lead foot by the open stream has not been grazed for several years. The entire area does not have stock on now.
    I still have some more fencing to do for Wigmore Stream but there are other catchments to manage also. A large part of my Purangi catchment is now fenced. There is also the Hot Water Beach catchment.
    Continued pressure from the Hahei community may be better managed by following the proven formula for noncomplying subdivisions. Get rid of the stock, plant some native plants and subdivide into sections.

    2. I organised a meeting last year where some within the community were able to meet Arthur Harsant. He has watered his paddocks and is slowly fencing with the help of John Newton who leases the property. At present Arthur wants to continue extensively farming the property as is. He is aware that in the future if it is a benefit to him and his family there may be a community aspiration for a walkway along Wigmore stream.

    3. The 100 acres beside the Church on both sides of the road. (owned by another Harsant group) Due to the district plan process this area is now deemed to be part of Hahei with a structure plan for about eighty sections.

    Due to the distraction of Lee’s Road, the district plan hearing panel, the council, the owners and the poor approach taken by the HBRA there is a standoff on where this is all going.
    Until someone pulls there head out of the sand and instigates the communication nothing of significance will happen here. I have wasted so much time trying to make this happen.
    In the future will we need some more commercial land?

    Wigmore Stream and your property.

    There appears to be the ability to connect 48 more properties as the plant stands now.

    Your old Septic system beside Wigmore Stream together with the other old systems on the edge of the stream beginning at the Pa Road bridge (no 47) should be prioritised. These systems will be pouring raw sewage into the stream from the water-logged land.
    Some within the community (not the HBRA) have had two meetings with the CEO and other staff to push the case for this area to be given priority.
    Laurie Donovan was able to provide his first-hand knowledge to the council leadership from his dealings with this location.

    With a combined effort by the owners along this section of Wigmore stream you may be able to get this area prioritised rather than waiting the 5 to 7 years for a scheme plan for the whole of Hahei? We have already seen with Emma Place Council can be flexible.

    Could the $235, 000 earmarked in the LTP for a third bridge crossing be used here instead?
    Put the pipes in a shallow trench with a board walk on top?

    A few more quick topics

    1. Walk from Hahei 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?

    Like at the Abel Tasman why can you not walk along the Beach and then up the DOC track.
    This track concept is visual pollution, some of it could be susceptible to storm damage and is also unnecessary

    The Walkway from the Church to Pa Road is a health and safety issue and should be the priority.
    Spend the money there instead?

    2. The property owners of Grange Road have canvased well to semi gate off their Road.
    When the shuttle bus is not running in the morning and in the evening, could this not be open for paid parking?
    The steel structures are ugly. The shuttle bus service could be given the authority to make sure people are not parking there while they are operating?
    Spend the memorial money and pub charity money on seats etc here. Name them with plaques if necessary.

    3. The rushed private/ public relationship for a car park on Lee’s Road is hopefully close to being resolved.
    We should soon see a private enterprise.
    How we disperse the traffic between the two Cathedral Cove car parks is an issue that has not been clarified yet.
    Hopefully council can still take up the leadership here. The Link Road-Hahei Beach Road intersection will be the confusing point if not thought through carefully.
    This has taken years to move forward.

    4. We are lucky that the leadership within council has not rushed through a poorly thought out permit system with the latest submission process. We may have been back tracking to find a solution and repair the fish hooks created for a number of years.
    Another time consuming and costly exercise.

  • The proposed Community toilets should not be relocated to beside the fire station. The green area between the fire station and the carpark was always set out to be a open space for people to walk unrestricted to and from the community centre and playground.
    Moving the toilets away from the playground next to a opperational fire station can bring health and safety concerns were you have young children and emergency vehicle’s in the same area.
    Having to move the toilets away from its present location ( playground) to reduce the risk of pedafiles & child obduction is a over stated risk.
    The existing services are already in place and the comments from the other posting about a verandah /deck incorporated into the toilet block is worth looking at.

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