The Southland District Council has allocated up to $1.7 million for the upgrades, which include replacing the Manapouri boat ramp, the adjacent gabion wall, a new jetty, View St car park and Otta seal application on Frasers Beach Rd.
The projects, identified in the council’s 2021-31 long-term plan, have received Tourism Infrastructure Funding (TIF) to carry out work that is at present going through a tender process.
A further successful TIF application by the council will be used to construct a new toilet and renew two boat ramps in Te Anau.
TIF funding has contributed a total of $2.4 million for the Manapouri and Te Anau area.
The Manapouri project will take approximately 10 to 12 weeks to complete and is expected to be finished before Christmas.
Council project manager Phil Fahey said the Otta seal was a cheaper alternative to chip seal and expected to last 7 to 11 years, and would be used to suppress dust on Frasers Beach Rd.
"Part of the upgrade works on the View St car park will involve some additional drainage and planting to help stabilise the face below the car park," he said.
"The car park will be fitted with car stops to encourage sensible parking for both cars and cars with boat trailers."
Bollard lights would feature on the connecting Pearl Harbour car park walkway while the concrete path would receive a surface treatment to cater for winter periods.
The existing toilets at Pearl Harbour and Frasers Beach would be replaced along with an additional toilet installed opposite the old church in Waiau St.
By Toni McDonald
