A new Hahei working group is being formed to provide feedback and input into the Proposed Cathedral Cove Walk project.

Made up of permanent Hahei residents, non-permanent residents, the Hahei Business Association and Coastal Walkways, it will be the major forum for the community and stakeholders to raise views and issues.

A new Hahei working group has been established for the proposed Cathedral Cove Walk project. Photo: TCDC

The new group will report back to the Project Governance Group which consists of representatives from the Thames Coromandel District Council, Department of Conservation and local iwi Ngati Hei.

TCDC representative Garry Towler says it is vitally important that local knowledge is utilised for the project.

'We want to thank the Hahei community for working with us.”

The Proposed Cathedral Coast Walk is being constructed in several stages and will cost a total of $4.77 million. It is part of TCDC's Coromandel Great Walks Project.

Council has set aside $1.25m in its 2014/2015 Annual Plan to fund the project, while DOC will contribute $250,000. An additional $3.2m will need to be sourced externally.

Garry says as important as external funding is, they also need the support and buy-in from communities.

'During consultation in last year's annual plan we had 99% support for our Walks project because people see the value and benefit it brings to the district.”

Stage 1A and 1B of the walk is 10km in length from the iconic ‘Blowhole' at Te Pupuha Recreation Reserve in Hahei, through to the Purangi Estuary at Cooks Beach. It takes in DOC estate, council reserve and QE2 Trust land.

A private section of land at Lees Rd is also negotiated to provide additional car parking which would help offset any further congestion problems around Hahei village and Grange Rd.

The old Waste Water Treatment Plant on Pa Road will also be converted into a 130 space ‘Pay and Display' car park which should be completed before Christmas 2015.

'We already understand from the feasibility study on the Proposed Cathedral Coast Walk that the number of visitors will increase exponentially.

'There is already massive visitor growth coming into this area to experience Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove.”

Garry says the governance body is a unique partnership and a joint management agreement is currently being worked through which would allow a Trust to be formed.

He adds the TCDC has an extremely strong relationship with Ngati Hei and they are fortunate to have worked with both Peter Johnston Snr and Peter Johnston Jnr over the past two years.

'We also want to pay tribute to Peter Johnston Snr who passed away last week.

'As well as being an integral part of the development of this Proposed Cathedral Coast Walkway, he helped with the establishment of Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve, led by example and was a man many in the community looked up to.”

For more information about the TCDC's Coromandel Great Walks Project visit www.tcdc.govt.nz/corogreatwalks