Council wants to hear ideas for park

William Fraser Park and Pohe Island could soon be home to a variety of eateries and fun activities with Whangarei District Council looking for ideas for potential businesses to set up on the popular site.

Pop-up ice skating rinks, waterslides, a cafe, bicycle and kayak hire and shipping container-based food vendors could all have a place at Whangarei's William Fraser Memorial Park.

The popularity of the Hatea Loop walkway and the impending construction of new Northland Rugby Union (NRU) clubrooms at Pohe Island has Whangarei District Council putting feelers out for potential businesses keen to set up shop.

The council is also eager to hear what the public would like to see in the area.

The popularity of the Hatea Loop will see activities set up on the circuit.

NRU wants to set up a cafe within its facility, which was granted resource consent recently.

Cafe operations would require a separate consent and NRU has put forth an initial plan for a "Refuel" branded cafe similar to the one at Kensington Stadium.

It would operate seven days a week and feature outdoor seating overlooking the new rugby fields.

However, council parks and recreation manager Paul McDonald said the Reserve Management Plan for the area only allowed for one cafe and who would be granted this opportunity required further consideration. He said council would look at the possibility for mobile or shipping container-based businesses, although bylaw constraints meant these would not be able to operate within 300m of a similar permanent commercial operation.

There was potential for recreation businesses - such as the hireage of kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, bikes and scooters.

Mr McDonald said a survey by council's Youth Advisory Group suggested more than 7000 people walked the Hatea Loop during summer, with foot traffic in the area increasing 132 per cent from 2014 to 2015.

The William Fraser Memorial Park project follows the closing of expressions of interest for another Hatea Loop site, the 3500sq m carpark adjacent to Te Matau a Pohe Bridge.

While the council was not looking to develop the site, as such, it was hoping to unleash recreational potential for the area.

To have your say on what you would like to see at the park, submit your ideas to council during this month.