Plans to build the 10km stretch of Hauraki Rail Trail from Kaiaua township to Pūkorokoro Miranda will be rolled out to the community at a drop-in session in Kaiaua this weekend.

Proposed designs for a parking area and toilet facilities at the Kaiaua end of the Trail will also be on display.

Plains Ward Chair Gill Leonard is excited about the project getting underway and the new opportunities it will open up for business on the Kaiaua Coast.

'Overall, the Rail Trail has provided a huge boost for the district and the Kaiaua to Kopu leg is quite unique. It provides some great natural attractions that can only be seen from the cycleway such as rare migratory shorebirds, wetlands, and shell banks, and it's also within easy reach of Auckland cyclists.”

Before work starts, council wants to hear feedback from the community to find out if there's anything it's missed.

A robust, adaptable design has been used for the proposed parking area to withstand possible effects from the sea.

'We're also looking for a name for this area and will be encouraging people to share their ideas around this at the drop in session,” says Gill.

The completion of this leg will be a real milestone in the construction of the Hauraki Rail Trail, and is one of two new extensions being kicked into gear this year.

Hauraki Rail Trail CEO Diane Drummond says construction of the Te Aroha to Matamata leg is now well underway after work began in January. Once this is complete Trail users will have even more options for fresh air adventures and sightseeing, including visiting Hobbiton Movie Set.

'Recent updates from Destination Coromandel show visitors and tourists are staying longer with us and spending more money while they're here, and we're confident the Hauraki Rail Trail has played a large part in this success.

'These new extensions are expected to increase visitor numbers and visitor nights from our major markets even further. I'm really looking forward to seeing these sections of the Trail come alive.”