The Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony car park is closed for an upgrade.

The car park will undergo significant changes to create a robust and safe long-term car park that meets the vehicle parking needs of the colony and other users of the southern end of the harbour, the Waitaki District Council said in a statement.

The work will include clearing vegetation, sealing the car park surface and clearly marking spaces for cars, camper vans and buses, along with new lighting in the area.

The changes should address existing issues with congestion and overflow at the current car park.

Upgraded lighting in the car park will increase the safety of the site at night time, while functional drainage will also protect the council’s infrastructure improvements and improve the experience of people parking at the site.

The project, budgeted at $450,000, is expected to be completed by the end of October. It will be funded through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Tourism Infrastructure Fund ($110,000), Waitaki District Council funding ($190,000) and harbour endowment reserves ($150,000).

While the work is being carried out, temporary car parking is available adjacent to the North Otago Powerboat and Yacht Club, and the Red Sheds.

The work on the car park will be another project ticked off in the Ōamaru Harbour Plan, with the intention of creating a more welcoming environment for visitors to the colony.