A cycleway link from Paengaroa to Rotorua, like this one pictured from Omokoroa to Tauranga, has been gifted $150k to become a reality. Photo / file
A cycleway link from Paengaroa to Rotorua, like this one pictured from Omokoroa to Tauranga, has been gifted $150k to become a reality. Photo / file
A cycleway between Tauranga and Rotorua has been given $150,000 to make it happen.
The Paengaroa to Rotoiti cycle trail funding was given by the NZ Transport Agency and follows on from a community working day in September organised by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council and the Bay of Plenty Charitable Trails Trust.
The day involved clearing an overgrown connection between Paengaroa and Okere through the Roydon Downs Scenic Reserve.
The link will enable cyclists to avoid using a busy section of State Highway 33 and when completed, the trail to Rotorua will form part of the Bay of Plenty's network of cycle trails and the New Zealand Cycle Trail network.
Council project co-ordinator Geoff Canham said the funding was the result of the working bee which involved more than 90 volunteers.
"I have no doubt this funding is a result of the Paengaroa community's leadership and massive voluntary effort,'' Canham said.
"The funding is needed to surface the final trail through the bush area and provide some trail construction works. Conversations are under way with local iwi for trail naming and interpretive works to convey the values and history of the area as a feature of the ride.''
The reserve is a bush area between the Western Bay and Rotorua Lakes districts and connects the trail through native bush from Paengaroa into the lakes area north of Okere, with cyclists able to cycle into Okere and, in the future, to Rotorua, or back to Pāpāmoa.
A cycleway link from Paengaroa to Rotorua, like this one pictured from Omokoroa to Tauranga, has been gifted $150k to become a reality. Photo / file
Paengaroa Volunteers' leader Marty Robinson has been working with the transport agency and the local community to achieve the trail link to get cyclists off the state highway.
"We are super excited to have news that the surfacing and bridge work on the Paengaroa to Okere falls link is going ahead. I thank Western Bay of Plenty District Council and the transport agency for helping us make this project go from an idea to a reality.
"We see many benefits coming from this heartland trail, both to our local community through economic and active outcomes and to the wider community via a safer cycling route taking touring cyclists and others off State Highway 33."
Agency project manager Jonathan Kennett said the hours achieved at the community day contributed to its funding decision.
"Currently people can cycle from Pāpāmoa to Paengaroa and this new link will join the future trail to Rotorua from Okere Falls. Ultimately there will a connection through Tauranga to Waihi Beach. One day people will be able to cycle from Auckland to Rotorua as part of the New Zealand Cycle Network."
The Okere Falls to Paengaroa trail is mainly on local roads and the bush section is an unsurfaced trail and, until surfaced, is suitable only for mountain bikes.
Starting at Okere Falls, it follows State Highway 33, Maniatutu Rd, Lichenstein Rd, through the new bush section in the Roydon Downs Reserve and back via Ridge Rd, Royden Downs Rd and Old Coach Rd to Paengaroa.
The trail has a gravel surface for about 10km with stunning views to the offshore islands and Bay of Plenty coast.
Along the way are the Paengaroa cafes, the Comvita Visitor Centre, with onward options to Papamoa Beach or Maketu.
Work will begin this summer and the trail connection is expected to be completed by February 2019.
