Upgraded facilities for Spa Thermal Park hot spot

9 November 2016

Spa Thermal Park's Otumuheke Stream is set to get a new toilet block and improved visitor facilities after Taupo District Council secured a $118,500 grant for the popular tourist attraction.

Yesterday Associate Minister of Tourism Paula Bennett announced the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Regional Mid-sized Tourism Facilities Grant Fund would provide funding toward the $250,000 project after a successful application from the council.

It will mean a new toilet block and changing area, rubbish bins, the development of the footbridge into a viewing platform, environmentally-friendly fencing, signage and the redevelopment of the main track to better cope with the increasing foot traffic and weather.

Mayor David Trewavas said the Otumuheke Stream was a pretty special place because it was one of the only hot water spots on the river and the improvements would make the most of its beautiful natural environment.

"This is a historical and unique area that is attracting more and more people every year, so we are thrilled to be able to upgrade it for both our visitors and our locals," he said.

Visitor numbers at the site can climb to 1200 a day in the peak summer months, and up to115 people can be at the site at any given time.

Mr Trewavas said the improvements would make the area safer and bring more attention to a "fantastic site of historical significance". "We also know the work is going to protect the area from erosion and damage to the geothermal vegetation," he said. "We can proudly promote the Otumuheke Stream and ensure every visit is a positive one."

Adjoining landowners the Patuiwi Reserve Trust has been involved in the design process to date. Trust Chairman Matiu Heperi Northcroft said it was pleasing to see the Crown and council funding some essential infrastructure adjacent to such an important taonga.

"As the public use of the stream has increased, we have been concerned about the environmental damage that has been caused, and these new facilities will go some way towards mitigating these effects," he said. "The trust will continue to work alongside the council as we have a responsibility first and foremost to always protect our taio (environment)."

A smaller-scale project was identified in the Taupo District Council Long-term Plan 2015-2025 due to available funding. Work is scheduled to begin in April and be completed mid-2017.