New Tolaga Bay Wharf car park welcomed by visitors

The Tolaga Bay Wharf car park has been enlarged and sealed just in time for the summer influx of visitors to East Coast icon. The area includes parking for buses and up to 22 cars. It is already been well used. Cars parking along the beach side of the park have a much improved view of the beach and the wharf.

This is stage one of a project which will see the area landscaped with shade trees and picnic tables. Storyboards will tell the history of the area and a formal entrance that includes a Māori pou will be installed. For the first time there will be easy access to the wharf for those with limited mobility.

HEB Construction won the contract to develop the car park and it has taken 8 weeks to complete. Fully funded from Gisborne District Council’s roading budget it has cost $222,000 plus design and consents. This is under the original budget of $250,000.

The project is expected to be completed in plenty of time for the Transit of Venus celebrations at Tolaga Bay in June. Tolaga Bay – Uawa will host international celebrations for the Transit of Venus in June 2012. A number of events are planned for the area including the transit of Venus Forum organised by the Royal Society of New Zealand and convened by 2011 New Zealander of the Year, Professor Sir Paul Callaghan.