Cycleway to coast gets council boost

Chris Robertson is thrilled his vision for a cycleway from Whangarei city to Ngunguru looks set to come to fruition. Photo / John Stone

The newest link in the chain of Whangarei's cycling network looks set to be a trail out to Tutukaka Coast.

Chris Robertson, of Tutukaka Coast Resident and Ratepayers Association, said he was thrilled to see the project gain $60,000 of funding under Whangarei District Council's newly-approved 2015-2015 Long Term Plan. He has been petitioning council for three years to consider the route.

While exact plans were still up in the air, Mr Robertson said much of a cycleway originating in Tikipunga could follow virtually unused country roads out the back of Ngunguru, which would take riders off the main highway and reduce costs.

"Currently the Ngunguru Rd route is used by cyclists but is considered to be extremely dangerous due to the nature of the road and speed of the traffic," he said.

Hikurangi-Coastal ward councillor Susy Bretherton said the community now needed to have their say on which parts of the route were a priority, given that funding was limited.

"Even though $60,000 is not a lot of money it's a good start," she said. "Waipu, Kamo, Onerahi have all had a helping hand with their cycleways ... It's really good to see the eye turned towards Ngunguru-Tutukaka."

Whangarei District Council senior asset engineer Greg Monteith said the funding has been allocated for the 2016-2017 financial year.

As a first step, staff would meet with the ratepayers' association.

"With all our cycleways we would be keen on creating something that is safe and complies with the relevant standards and best practice.

"We would of course also need to consult with the wider community on any proposal too," he said.