Locals say new Waiwera hotel will add to traffic chaos

Residents of Waiwera, 40 minutes north of Auckland, say plans for a 198-bed hotel will create car parking mayhem.

Hot pools and a safe beach already draw scores of day trippers to the town and car parking, a major issue for residents, is often at a premium. Now they are worried that a hotel project will pile on more pressure.

The hotel project company, Waiwera Resort Ltd, plans 222 spaces for guests in a semi-basement car park, as well as 18 other parks.

The hotel's planner, Ken Canton, told the Rodney District Council that unused parking could be available for pool patrons.

He said the resort hotel would have 611 people on site when fully occupied, but a 70 per cent occupancy was considered normal.

Audrey Jones, secretary of the Waiwera Property Owners and Residents Association, said the permanent population of Waiwera was 120. If this development was to bring 600 people, without staff, it would be a major imposition on the roads, parking and environment.

A decision is expected this month.