A granite memorial to the men killed in the Piker River Coal mine disaster will be centred in a small Greymouth lake with 29 large boulders dotting the lake's shoreline.

A memorial committee has opted for a work by Greymouth monumental mason Jamie Rhodes which, depending on Grey District Council approval, will be centred in the tidal Lake Karoro.

Mr Rhodes' sculpture consists of three life-size mine workers, surrounded by a large revolving circle depicting the Pike River mine portal, on a black granite base, the Greymouth Star reported.

The shoreline will be dotted with 29 large boulders, representing each of the men who died in the November tragedy.

Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn said the committee chose the site for its serenity.

"The water offers a soothing effect, it's away from the main traffic stream but close enough to give easy access and the bird life adds to the peaceful effect."

Other smaller memorial sites will also be created.

A memorial stone will be erected at Atarau near the road leading to the mine to give the families a private place to quietly grieve and a triangle of land opposite the War Memorial gates on Tainui Street is to be converted to a rose garden featuring a memorial monument donated by Horowhenua stone mason Ritchie Cornell.

- NZPA