Wheels set in motion for cycleway study

PEDAL POWER: A Kawakawa to Moerewa section of the proposed cycleway along an old rail corridor link.

A proposed cycleway linking the west and east coasts from Hokianga to the Bay of Islands is capturing the imaginations of many people who live, work and farm in the area.

Having received the go-ahead for a government funded feasibility study last month, a concerted effort is under way to complete the study before Christmas with the aim of starting construction next year.

Study project manager Tania McInnes says two well attended public workshops have been held at Okaihau and Moerewa and two more are planned at Kawakawa’s St John’s Hall today and Kaikohe’s Memorial Hall tomorrow. Both start at 5.30pm.

A marketing questionnaire has been distributed to local businesses, and meetings have been held with key stakeholders including Enterprise and Destination Northland, Historic Places Trust, business associations, community boards and a number of iwi and hapu groups.

"There’s strong support for the concept which has the potential to become a fantastic cycle trail experience that opens up beautiful rural scenery, is steeped in history and incorporates Maori cultural teachings and experiences," Ms McInnes says.

"It offers so much in each of the four wellbeings – social, cultural, environmental and economic."

She says engineers had almost completed the site investigation of the Okaihau to Opua section and are assessing viable routes for the Horeke to Okaihau section.

"We are now starting to work with affected landowners to look at these routes and work through any concerns they may have about such things as stock access and possible loss of privacy."

Western Community Board chairwoman and project champion Tracy Dalton says the project has the potential to boost the local economy by about $25 million over five years.

"More importantly, it will breathe new life and create vibrancy in our communities," she says.

"We can expect other spin-offs to include reduced crime because of stronger community pride and increased employment, fitness and health benefits and a safe way to reach other towns and schools without the danger of busy roads."

The 12km Okaihau-Kaikohe link was identified as one of seven "early start" projects in the government’s national cycleway programme. Construction of the track will depend on funding.

"We intend to make the most of the opportunity we have to progress the project quickly and we’ll be

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