Cycleways plan hailed

BY ALICE COWDREY

Nelson looks likely to be granted $2.6 million from the Government to develop cycleways in Nelson and Tasman after being shortlisted for a place on a national cycle trail.

Cycle advocates say the development will give the region a hefty tourism boost.

Two cycleways for the region are among 13 projects which the Government could help pay for out of a $50 million fund.

The region's projects were picked from a pool of 54 applications to be included in Nga Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

Before the Government hands over money for the two projects, they must pass a feasibility study stage.

In the Nelson region, $62,500 will be granted to fund the feasibility study for the tracks.

Work on the study got under way today and is due to be finished in May.

If the study is successful, $2 million will be granted to build 175 kilometres of the Tasman loop and $630,000 for a 45km extension to the Dun Mountain trail.

This trail will include an "easily accessible" track through Brook Valley, along the Dun Mountain rail track to the Maitai dam before heading back to the city through the Maitai Valley.

The Tasman loop will run from Richmond to Kohatu, through Tapawera, back to Motueka and finish in Richmond.

The Tasman District Council has plans to eventually create a link to Kaiteriteri to meet up with the new mountainbike park.

District council transportation manager Gary Clark said if everything went to plan, work on the important project could start next year.

He did not know how much money the council would have to pay towards getting the entire loop finished.

There was money set aside in the 10-year plan, but it wasn't enough, so funding from elsewhere will be sought, Mr Clark said.

District council community recreation advisor and cycle fanatic Mike Tasman-Jones said he was "over the moon" with the news.

"It's a huge step forward and places the region as being a key destination for cyclists.

"I think it's going to be a huge benefit for residents in the community, also just the businesses, all of the infrastructure that's going to be built around the cycleway.

"We are a region almost geographically and environmentally made for cycling," he said.

Nelson Cycle Trails trustee Chris Allison said the cycleways will offer good "soft adventure".

"So something that's a little bit adventurous, but not like throwing yourself off a cliff."

The weather and number of cyclists in Nelson would create demand for the cycleways, even in winter, he said.

"We have a very strong cycling population which is growing, which helps."

Cycle enthusiast and Nelson city councillor Derek Shaw, who has been pushing for the cycleway, said it was fantastic news.

"The national cycleway has gained political momentum very quickly," he said.

A report submitted by the Nelson and Tasman councils, as well as the Nelson Cycle Trails, to the Tourism Ministry in December outlined a case for the region. It said that a cycleway for the region would attract 25,000 cycle tourists who will spend $5.1 million in the region annually.

The total gross revenue created by the regional trails, will generate a total of 45.19 fulltime equivalent jobs.

Nelson MP Nick Smith welcomed the announcement.

"This is fantastic news for the Nelson and Tasman regions and a real boost for our local tourism industry and growing image as an adventure playground.

"Cycle tourism is now big business for New Zealand, with the Otago Rail Trail, for example, generating more than $20 million a year from 30,000 tourists," Dr Smith said.

- © Fairfax NZ News