Work being undertaken to transform the old Coroglen Saleyards into a public picnic reserve is almost nearing the end.

Rejuvenation of the newly named ‘Coroglen Reserve' has come thanks to a joint initiative between the Thames Coromandel District Council and the Coroglen Community.

The new Coroglen Reserve. Photo: Supplied

The working committee for the project is made up of Coroglen community members, council staff and members of the Mercury Bay Community Board.

For more than 50 years the Coroglen Saleyards was a hub for people to gather, sell and buy farm stock but was closed down by PGG Wrightson earlier this year.

Following its closure TCDC purchased two of the three parcels of land for $50,000, paid for by money set aside in council's Annual Plan for maintenance and development costs.

Mayor Glenn Leach says the Coroglen Reserve is now a 'fantastic entranceway” to Whitianga.

'Families can now picnic on the banks of the Waiwawa River and there's a water hole that could be one of the best on the Coromandel.

'We know this area has always been a special place in Coromandel's farming history and also a huge part of the Coroglen community.”

Some of the work carried out at the reserve includes re-contouring and landscaping of the land, plus the installation of bollards, picnic tables and rubbish bins.

One of the old loading ramps and one holding pen have also been retained, and interpretative signage will be installed around the reserve informing people of the sites historical significance.

The old kitchen building and office huts have also been kept and will be converted into a ‘sunny dunny' – an eco-loo along with a separate changing room, in time for the public to use in summer.

Glenn adds this project typifies what council is trying to achieve with community empowerment.

He congratulates everyone who had a hand in the saleyards' transformation and their achievements.

Mercury Bay Community Board chairman Paul Kelly says the project has been a great success.

'The local input has been phenomenal and I want to thank Heather McPhee and everyone at Coroglen for their input.”

As part of the project the old Coroglen Saleyards' kitchen building and office huts have been kept and will be converted into a changing shed and 'sunny dunny'. Photo: Supplied