Funding Approved for Eight More Cycle Trails
Funding has been confirmed ahead of schedule for the construction of eight new cycle trails under Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail (NZCT) project.
The government has confirmed $18.85 million for the construction of the eight trails. These trails, together with five trails already approved, are expected to provide 1,700km of trail once completed .
The funding approvals follow the evaluation of 13 phase two trail feasibility studies submitted to the Ministry of Tourism in May. Of the 13, eight have now had their funding approved, four are still under review and funding for one trail has been declined.
John Dunn, Programme Manager said investment in the eight new trails will bring huge benefits to the communities involved. The new trails will be included in a series of “Great Rides” that will take cyclists through some of New Zealand’s most iconic and picturesque country.
“I would like to congratulate the applicants on the enormous effort that has gone into completing the feasibility studies. This effort has enabled funding for these trails to be confirmed four months ahead of schedule and made it possible for construction to begin as soon as possible,” Mr Dunn said.
For two trails, in the Hawke’s Bay and the Clutha District, only specific sections of the trails have been approved for funding at this stage. Further work is still required on the land access for the remaining sections before funding can be confirmed.
The eight new trails that will be provided from the New Zealand Cycle Trail Fund are:
* Old Motu Coach Road Opotiki/Gisborne
* Dun Mountain Trail and Tasman Loop Nelson
* Heretaunga Ararau – Landscape Trail section Hawke’s Bay
* Westland Wilderness Trail Westport
* Alps to Ocean Trail Mt Cook/Waitaki
* The Queenstown Trail (Formerly known as the Wakatipu Trail) Queenstown
* Clutha Gold Trail – Roxburgh to Lawrence section Clutha
“Co-funding for the eight trails of $16 million also demonstrates the significant commitment of the communities involved,” Mr Dunn said.
Further work is continuing on four other trails including the Thermal by Bike trail (Rotorua), the Ruapehu to Whanganui trail, Old Ghost Road trail (West Coast) and the Roxburgh Gorge trail (Alexandra). Issues have been identified in the feasibility studies for these trails which need to be resolved before funding can be committed to their construction. The Ministry of Tourism is working with applicants with the aim of having decisions on these trails by the end of October.
One trail, the Tauranga Moana trail, has been declined for funding. The trail does have the potential to offer a world-class cycling experience, but the Ministry considered that the land access and cost issues identified in the trail’s feasibility study would unfortunately not be resolved within a timeframe suitable for the New Zealand Cycle Trail project.
“It’s vital that we fully investigate the trails before we put them forward for construction. It is important we invest in feasible projects to ensure that the funding is spent wisely, the right product is delivered, and the benefits of the trails flow through to communities,” Mr Dunn said.
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