A cycle trail from Waihi Beach to Tauranga that was expected to boost the economy by $6 million a year has been scrapped by the Government.
The Tauranga Moana Coastal Cycle Trail had been planned as part of the National Cycleway Project by the Ministry of Tourism.
Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Tim Burgess said the Ministry of Tourism cited "too many land access issues", and a timeframe that did not match the national cycleway project, as the key factors in the trail's failure to receive any more Government funding.
"The cycleway would have been a massive opportunity for the coastal Bay of Plenty. Initial estimates had put the annual boost to the economy at $6 million."
Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Max Mason said the "disappointing decision" would affect income from tourism in the long term. Potential jobs building the trail had also been lost.
"In the economic downturn, we could have done with a lot more jobs in the area," Mr Mason said.
"It's very disappointing because we have the best weather and the best coastal scenery, and that's what cyclists want, and what they are going to miss out on.
"It seems like a short-sighted decision, because it seems like they are taking the easy option. A little bit of extra effort on the part of the Government could only have resulted in something cyclists and international tourists are really looking for, which is beautiful scenery."
Mr Burgess said it was disappointing that no coastline would now be included in the national trail.
"In a country with more than 14,000km of coastline, the only cycleway projects going ahead are primarily related to mountains, rivers and lakes.
"It's frustrating, because all the visitor satisfaction research points to people being most impressed by our coast and beaches, but they are constantly overlooked by national tourism project funding."
Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby wanted an explanation from the Government on why the decision had been made. "Western Bay of Plenty and Tauranga has not had, in my view, much support from the Government from a tourism point of view.
"They tend to focus on particular regions, and ours is a region of tremendous opportunity if we were given some modest support.
"Sometimes I get the feeling that some of the provinces in this country are ignored, and all the resources go to the perceived main centres."
Mr Crosby said the project would have provided a boost for the whole Western Bay and Tauranga economy, not just the tourism industry.
"Tourism revenue goes right around the whole city, it doesn't just stop and start at the restaurants and accommodation places. It goes right through to suppliers, to tradespeople to everybody.
"It's a disappointment," Mr Crosby said.
Western Bay Mayor Ross Paterson said that the region would forge ahead with its own plans for cycle and walking trails.
The council hoped to create cycling trails from Waihi Beach to Katikati, and from Omokoroa to Tauranga.
Bay of Plenty Times
