New toilet blocks and upgrades to the parking area and driveway for Roto Kohatu Reserve have been approved.
Project status: Decision made
Open for feedback: 15 March 2019 to 8 April 2019
Share this
09-07-2019 - Update - Plans approved
The recommendation of the Waimāero/Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Community Board was approved by Council on Monday 13 May 2019.
No changes were made to the report. You can view the approved plans in the consultation closed section under 'amended plans'.
You can view the meeting minutes, which include the formal resolutions, online at christchurch.infocouncil.biz(external link).
Work will begin in spring 2019 and we plan to have the toilets ready for use by summer.
We’re planning to have construction of the car park completed by summer, but this will be subject to contractor availability. If delayed, we’ll start construction in late summer to avoid the busy period but we’ll let you know about any delays.
We’re also applying for further funding to complete additional driveway upgrades. This is likely be completed in stages as funding become available.
Consultation has now closed
Consultation on Roto Kohatu Reserve Improvements has now closed. People were able to provide feedback from 15 March 2019 to 7 April 2019.
During this time we heard from 49 individuals or groups via submission made through this page. You can read their feedback [PDF, 4.8 MB] and view the amended plans [PDF, 2.8 MB], including concept plans for a three cubicle toilet block [PDF, 842 KB] that will be presented to the Waimāero/Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Community Board on Monday 13 May 2019 for a recommendation to Council for final approval.
We considered all feedback and the following changes have been recommended:
• The toilet block at Lake Rua to have three fully accessible cubicles, with Lake Tahi to remain with two fully accessible cubicles.
• Lake Rua toilet block to be moved approximately 45 metres north to provide safer access without people having to cross the road to access the toilet.
• Drinking fountains to be provided at each toilet block.
To provide clean and safe toilets we're proposing to install two new toilet blocks in the most frequently used areas, and to improve parking issues at Roto Kohatu Reserve we're proposing upgrades to the parking area and driveway.
Roto Kohatu Reserve
Lake Rua north eastern banks - swimming area. Photo courtesy of Arthur Adcock
Roto Kohatu Reserve is a very popular recreational area which has seen a significant increase in visitor numbers in recent years. It’s the largest body of fresh water suitable for swimming in Christchurch and is a recreation asset for the whole city.
Currently the area is serviced by five port-a-loos. However, these facilities are no longer sufficient or appropriate to meet the increasing number of visitors to the area. To address this, we're proposing to build two new toilet blocks, each with two cubicles and an outside shower.
The toilet blocks will be prefabricated and shipped on site fully constructed. They will be permanently plumbed in and connected to existing infrastructure on Greywacke Road. The project team did investigate other options for managing waste (for example, septic tanks) but the ecological significance of the area meant that connecting to the existing waste water infrastructure was the only appropriate option. The sites for the toilets have been chosen based on the most commonly visited areas in the reserve.
Concept plans for the toilets location and design. [PDF, 7.3 MB]
Planting around the toilet blocks will help ensure the buildings fit into the landscape.
Current port-a-loos at north eastern end of Lake Rua and proposed toilet block to go in at the canoe polo area
Increased visitor numbers is also putting pressure on parking, so we're proposing to improve sections of the driveway and provide a carpark with more than 100 parking spaces, with overflow parking on grass verges.
Canoe polo area
Next Steps
Your feedback will be presented to the Waimāero/Fendaltion-Waimairi-Harewood Community Board in May/June 2019. The Community Board will then make a recommendation to Council for a final decision.
If approved, we intend to begin construction in October 2019 for use by next summer.