The contract for the $16.8 million first stage of Rotorua's lakefront development will start at the end this month.

Rotorua Lakes Council's strategy manager, Jean-Paul Gaston, says the first section will involve the construction of a new boardwalk along the lake edge from the existing commercial jetty, to the eastern area by the existing footbridge, as well as terracing along the lake edge which will provide space by the water to sit and relax.

'The boardwalk is going to provide a place to wander, reflect, and enjoy panoramic views of the lake and Mokoia Island,” Jean-Paul says.

'Safety has been a key priority in the design of the boardwalk which has undergone a full safety audit and building consent assessment, and meets all safety requirements.

'We've worked hard with iwi to establish clear guidelines during construction to protect lake water quality and kōura habitat, and to protect and reflect both Te Arawa heritage and the importance of the reserve to the community today.”

HEB Construction Ltd, which has been awarded the contract, has experience working on large-scale projects nationwide.

HEB Construction's area manager Andrew Hiscox says HEB is currently working on some of New Zealand's largest projects including Transmission Gully (Wellington), the Northern Corridor Improvement Project, the Huntly By-Pass and the Kaikoura Earthquake Recovery Project.

'Our team is really excited to now also be involved in this project in Rotorua,” Andrew says.

A karakia will take place on Tuesday, October 15.

Fencing and site setup is scheduled to start on Tuesday, October 29, with soil sampling taking place earlier, around October 16/17. During the soil sampling, some areas will be fenced off temporarily.

While this stage of construction is underway access to the lake edge and Oruawhata Drive will be restricted but not access through Memorial Drive and Lakefront Drive.

Access to Memorial Drive will be restricted early next year when work on Stage 4 begins. More information about access to the lakefront will be provided once the worksite boundaries have been finalised.

Construction of the entire lakefront development will be completed in stages to ensure parts of the lakefront reserve are always accessible.

Entertainment and activities will continue to feature at the lakefront to ensure the reserve is still an enjoyable place to be even throughout construction.

The next stage of the $40m lakefront development will involve preparing the ground for the construction of the new playground and a new toilet block facility.

Photographic key:

Stage 1: Upgrade of main lakefront walkway, boardwalk and terracing.

Stage 2: New playground, upgrade of existing playground and new toilet block.

Stage 2a: Upgrade of streetscape along Tūtānekai St including parking, a widened footpath, and verandah walkway.

Stage 3: Grass terracing, cycle and walk way.

Stage 3a: Main open space area and terracing around new commercial development.

Stage 4: New Memorial Plaza carpark.

Stage 5: Upgrade of area west of the lakefront.