The Thames-Coromandel District Council says progress on Hot Water Beach's tourism-related infrastructure is well ahead of schedule.

Council is crediting this progress down to money from pay and display parking machines being kept within the Hot Water community and spent on improving tourism-related facilities.

Money generated by the pay and display parking machines at Hot Water Beach stays within the community, says the Thames-Coromandel District Council. Photo: Google Maps

A new toilet design is being developed with representatives of the local community and is on track for completion in late 2016, before the originally expected 2018 goal.

Since its introduction in December 2013, pay and display parking at the Hot Water Beach shop carpark has generated more than $94,000 in income so far.

Mercury Bay Area Manager Sam Marshall says this income means the cost of tourist-related facilities will come primarily from visitors and not local ratepayers.

'These facilities include toilets and changing rooms, walkways, car parking and other recreational facilities impacted by tourism,” he says.

'Improvements also include better signage directing visitors to businesses operating at Hot Water Beach village.”

The Taiwawe Carpark (also known as the Bull Paddock) will have pay-and-display parking introduced for summer 2015-2016.

The car park was completed last year to provide for overflow parking at Hot Water Beach, particularly over the peak summer period and has capacity for 69 vehicles.

The toilet upgrades include investigation of a facility to be built at Taiwawe.

PRICES AND EXEMPTIONS

At its September meeting the Mercury Bay Community Board recommended the shop carpark fees be increased to $4 per hour or $25 per day, which will be trialled over the coming summer period.

The board also agreed that the fees for the Taiwawe Carpark will be $2 per hour or $15 per day.

Chair Paul Kelly says exemptions will be available for local residents and ratepayers so they don't have to pay for parking at both sites.

'If you live at Hot Water Beach, you need to see our Mercury Bay customer services staff to request a parking permit.”

The Board has also provided an exemption for one local group.

'We recognise the great work by Hot Water Beach Surf Lifesaving including their juniors and exemptions will be provided for them,” adds Paul.

There is also a free disability car park, along with 20 minute short term free parking next to the Hot Water Beach shop car park. Drop-off and pick-ups within the paid parking areas are also free.

Free car parking alternatives are also available at the main surf car beach park and along the berms next to the pay and display areas.