$250,000 Hamurana Reserve refresh under way

Toro Bidois, left, kaiwhakahaere for Ngāti Rangiwewehi Te Rangikaheke Bidois and Hamurana and Awahou Residents and Ratepayers Association chairman Jerry Douglas at the Hamurana Reserve. Photo / Supplied

A $250,000 makeover of the lakefront reserve at Hamurana will include a new walkway, landscaping and a dog water fountain.

The reserve development plan work is under way to give the reserve a refresh. It is a collaboration between Rotorua Lakes Council, Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Hamurana and Awahou Residents and Ratepayers Association (HARRA) and wider community.

The project has been given a $250,000 budget split over two financial years, 2017/2018 and 2018/2019.

HARRA made a submission in 2013 requesting the council prepare a plan for the future development of the Hamurana lakefront reserve.

From 2015 to 2017 the council worked with HARRA and Ngāti Rangiwewehi to create a draft development plan which was put out for public consultation in September last year.

HARRA chairman Jerry Douglas said it had been great to work with the council staff, who had "listened to what the community was looking for and have incorporated this into the final design plan".

Public feedback highlighted the community wanted to retain the undeveloped character of the reserve but wanted to see safety improvements, a formed walkway and new signage to tell the story of the area.

"[Hamurana Reserve] is more than 2km in length with fantastic lake views and lovely grass picnic areas for the public to enjoy the scenery."

Douglas said new seating and picnic tables would be installed along with new bollard fencing which would "go a long way to preventing hoons from driving on and tearing up the grass areas".

Signage along the lakefront was an important part of the development for project partner and mana whenua for the area, Ngāti Rangiwewehi.

Te Rangikaheke Bidois, who is kaiwhakahaere (administrator) for Ngāti Rangiwewehi, said the place names and events along the reserve were unique to Ngāti Rangiwewehi whānau and hapū

"Personally, it's my growing up area and holds special memories of whānau.

"We are looking forward to the opportunity to have the signs that capture our relationship and history with the whenua, awa [river] and roto [lake]."

The Rotorua Lakes Community Board has given $27,000 to the project and chairman Phil Thomass said it was its way of "introducing themselves to the Hamurana community".

The community board is using the money for picnic tables, benches, additional playground equipment and putting in a dog drinking fountain.

"It's a great asset to the community and I think it will be one of the most enjoyable reserves we have around Lake Rotorua.

"We thought it deserved those extra touches."

The reserve development work is expected to be finished by December, weather permitting, and a community event is being planned to officially open the refreshed park.