$2 Million Cycleway Project Approved
The Opotiki District is to host one of a handful of new cycleway projects under a national programme initiated by Prime Minister John Key.
The $2.1 million project - of which $380,000 will come from the Department of Conservation and the balance from Nga Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail - will create a new visitor amenity to be called Motu Trails.
It is one that will have positive benefits for the tourism sector and the local economy generally.
Planning for the Motu Trails cycleway began last October and has gone through two stages as part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail project, which seeks to establish, over time, a national network of recreational rides in areas visitors may not have been able to access easily in the past.
Council parks and reserves manager Mike Houghton developed the original concept proposal to the MoT, along with representatives of Gisborne District Council and DoC.
Having jumped the first hurdle, the three partner agencies then commissioned Tourism Resource Consultants of Wellington to undertake a feasibility study and business case, paving the way for acceptance by the Ministry of Tourism.
The Motu Trails project is one of only three in the North Island to have been accepted for stage two funding, with the others being at Taupo and in Hawke’s Bay.
Mayor John Forbes says it’s a fantastic achievement for Opotiki, with around 50 applications for funding from around New Zealand being lodged initially.
He believes that some sectors of the local business community will see economic benefits as soon as the various stages of track are completed, but a range of opportunities for new enterprises will also be seen when the project is completed.
“This new project will be good, not only for the Opotiki District, but for the Eastern Bay of Plenty and Eastland region generally,” he says.
It’s expected that construction work in the Pakihi and on other parts of the 80 kilometre route from the coast to the Toatoa area, and on toward to Motu village and Matawai, will be carried out in the coming summer season.
Within 18 months, the Motu Trails cycleway should be operative, bringing a new era of tourism-based economic development to the Opotiki district.
....................................................................................................................................................................................
Register your email at sandied@odc.govt.nz by inserting Motu Cycle Trail in the subject line to receive regular updates as this exciting visitor amenity project takes shape over coming months.