Rotorua will soon see some major changes to its inner city with the development of an Inner City Green Corridor which aims to allow motorists, cyclists, skaters and pedestrians to co-exist in a shared space. Senior reporter Matthew Martin took a closer look at the plan and the opposing views.
What is a Green Corridor?
A green corridor within a city is designed to provide a natural relief from the confines of a "concrete jungle" and to offer a wide range of social, aesthetic, environmental and economic benefits. The inner city green corridor has been designed to accommodate all types of users - the young, families, the elderly and city centre visitors - while the footpath will still be available for pedestrians.
Who will use the corridor?
- Cyclists
- Runners/walkers, either singles or in groups
- People with disabilities
- Mobility scooters
- Scooters/skateboards/skaters
What other features could we see?
The inner city green corridor will contain a variety of experiences designed to meet all the different users' needs and therefore there are a number of different features such as;
- Artwork to enjoy and reflect our cultural heritage
- Spaces to stop, get off, shop and dine
- Landscaping to offer ecological opportunities
- Ramps and banking for children on scooters
- Sensory features for the disabled, elderly and young
- Associated infrastructure such as water fountains, bike racks and bike fixing stations
What are the key outcomes the council wants to see?
- To provide a link between Kuirau Park and Government Gardens
- To enhance the attractiveness of the inner city through improved visual amenity
- To enhance user amenity and reflect the city's lakeside location and heritage through art, social engagement, locations/spots and street furniture
- To connect existing cycleways that stop at the outskirts of the city
- To incorporate our cultural story in streetscape and corridor elements
- To stimulate and encourage multiple modes of transport, reduce social costs of crashes, reduce unnecessary car usage, related pollution and congestion and the associated health benefits
- To create a destination recreational feature within the inner city
Consultation to date
2005: The Rotorua Cycling Strategy is adopted by the council following public consultation
2006: The Green Corridor concept is introduced to council after an Opus report recommended council look at developing a city "spine" along Tutanekai St
2013/14: The need for a cycleway is voiced through many different consultation conversations including Rotorua 2030 submissions, Annual Plan and Long-Term Plan submissions
June 16, 2014: Around 200 city business representatives attended an Inner City Focus Group stakeholders "meet and greet" at the council's Civic Centre. A proposed route map is presented
September 2, 2014: Heart of the City News hand-delivered to more than 500 inner city businesses with a front page feature on the inner city cycleway proposal asking for feedback. A public survey was set up on the council website at the same time
September 6, 2014: A media release was issued seeking online public feedback on the proposal for the inner city cycleway
September 11, 2014: An Inner City Stakeholders Workshop was held where Rotorua Cycle Action made a presentation on the inner city cycleway proposals
September 26, 2014: A request for feedback was publicised in the council's double page spread Our Rotorua printed in this paper, The Rotorua Weekender and the council website