The Corporation of Hamilton's plans for a multi-million dollar waterfront development are pressing ahead with two public presentations arranged for next week.

Visitors to City Hall will see a computer-enhanced artist's impression of what the finished project could look like and find out how development, including land reclamation, will take place.

Proposals mentioned previously include a new jetty for cruise ships, theatre, open-air amphitheatre and park, retail space, conference centre, underground car park and restaurants.

Three years ago it was estimated the scheme would cost around $639 million, with 80 percent of the development coming from the private sector and the remaining $122 million the responsibility of the Corporation.

Corporation Chief Operating Officer Ed Benevides has said Government might be asked for money for the land reclamation and ferry terminal but will not be expected to underwrite the initiative.

The Corporation says it will not look for financiers for three years or so, by which time the economic crisis should have finished. The whole development is expected to take more than two decades to complete.

Mayor of Hamilton Sutherland Madeiros said in a statement: "The development of the Waterfront is of the utmost importance for the future revitalisation of Hamilton.

"Next week's public meetings will give us an opportunity to update Hamilton taxpayers and the broader community on our progress to date and plans for the future and receive public feedback. We welcome anyone who is interested in this project to attend."

The Corporation will be helped in the presentations by Varoujan Hagopian of Sasaki Associates, its architectural and planning consultants.

Sasaki Associates has experience in waterfront projects including the Boston Waterfront Park and Long Wharf, Charleston Waterfront Park and Los Angeles Wilmington Waterfront Development.

The Corporation has presented its development plans to Cabinet and is currently awaiting approval and support.

The presentations, which will feature question and answer sessions, take place on Monday at 6 p.m. and Tuesday at 1 p.m.