The ‘Long Mile Road Upgrade’ and ‘New Forest Hub’ projects are part of the overall Whakarewarewa Forest development, a collaborative project between Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment, Ngāti Whakaue, Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao, CNI Iwi Holdings, and Rotorua Lakes Council to enhance the forest amenity and improve the experience for all users. Council allocated $7.5 million to the overall project in its 2018 –2028 Long-term Plan with another $7 million contributed by Central Government from its Provincial Growth Fund to enable the project to be completed over a three-year period. (We also delivered the Detailed design for Longmile Rd Upgrade).

Phase 1B -Forest Hub 2

The Forest Hub 2 is proposed to be located on Tarawera Road near the Okareka Loop Road intersection in an area of forest that is currently parking and access point for the forest trails. The intention is to provide another major access point into the forest trails for mountain bikers, walkers and runners in addition to the current Waipa Forest Hub. The intention is for this hub to provide some relieve to the Waipa Hub for forest access along with provision of an events areas. This hub will attract more visitors to the Eastern side of Rotorua but also support and alleviate demand on the existing facilities at the Blue Lake, Redwoods Forest and Waipa Forest.

CLIENT BRIEF/PROJECT CHALLENGES

Phase 1B -Forest Hub 2

1. Low impact design for storm water, that aesthetically blends in with forest environment and improved management of overland flow. Ensuring the events area is free draining and does not collect surface water.
2. Defined parking areas and minimising conflict between active mode users and parked/parking vehicles.
3. Discreet pedestrian lighting that aesthetically blends into area once trees are established.
4. Safety and capacity improvements at the access road intersection.
5. Pavement surfacing to be minimal chip seal/asphalt and where possible permeable/natural pavement surfacing. Client did not want the site 'urbanised', they wanted the site to look as natural as possible.
6. Materials and methods for track designs must be carefully considered as the area is geographically located within a natural catchment area.

OUR SOLUTION

Phase 1B -Forest Hub 2

1. Parking area cross falls designed to direct water to planted swales to channel overland flow and direct to retention ponds for filtration. The Client wanted a design that had minimal changes to the site and complimented the forest surroundings.
2. Defined parking areas with a separate shared path, road crossings to provide access between parking areas and shared path. Shared path users have an uninterrupted path free of vehicle interaction.
3. Lighting designers recommended a column and light that the Client were happy with. The same design that is used at LongMile Rd Upgrade to create some cohesiveness between the two sites.
4. Addition of a right turn bay and street lighting has improved the safety of the access road.
5. Pavement designers had to come up with a pavement design that incorporated a permeable surface. This was a particular challenge due to the Pavement designers recommendations for a surface were not accepted by Client due to cost and visual outcome. However,we were able to come up with a pavement design with the surface product the Client wanted to use, with the Client accepting the risk.
6. Following a storm event, the track at the carpark was redone and stabilised, which proved resilient in a subsequent storm event.

OUTCOME/CLIENT BENEFITS

This is not yet officially open to the public, but the public have been using it. However, there has been positive feedback from the Client and mountain biking community on the outcomes meeting their expectations and anticipation that it will be a very popular facility.