Cycle trail initiative offers 80 kms of economic opportunity
Chief Executive Peter Guerin's 'Council Talk' column from today's Daily Post.
Over the last 18 months a quite remarkable sporting, recreation and visitor innovation has been taking shape and is set to add another valuable element to Rotorua's impressive collection of world class outdoor visitor and leisure activities.
It is Te Ara Ahi' - our part of the National Cycleway initiative first promoted by Prime Minister John Key at the New Zealand Job Summit in 2010.
Te Ara Ahi is one of 18 Great Rides' throughout the country that collectively form the National Cycleway.
Its 80 kilometres long, starting at Prince's Gate at the entrance to Government Gardens in Rotorua and finishing at Waihunuhunu on Lake Ohakuri near the Waikato River.
Passing many of the district's iconic tourist attractions it's destined to become a must-do activity for many visitors to our region. Attractions en route include Rotorua Museum, Whakarewarewa Village, Te Puia, Waimangu Thermal Valley, Rainbow Mountain (Maungakakaramea), Kerosene Creek (Te Ranga), Waiotapu mud pools and thermal valley, Arataki Honey, Waikite Valley Hot Pools, and Te Kopia Geothermal Reserve.
Work commenced in February 2011 and it's now 98% complete. An official opening is being planned for some time in October or November and an invitation to the official opening has been extended to the Prime Minister.
The project is costing $2.48 million all up, with the government contributing $2.03 million through the former Ministry of Economic Development, and Rotorua District Council putting in $450,000 from the Grow Rotorua Fund.
Development of Te Ara Ahi has received outstanding support from a wide range of players, all sharing one common aspiration - to provide opportunities that have the potential to boost our district's economic growth.
These parties include council staff, iwi, land owners and trusts, Te Puia, DoC, Department of Corrections, mountain biking clubs, tourism attractions, accommodation and hospitality operators, Chamber of Commerce, health and sporting agencies, Rotorua Cycle Action Network and a number of potential investors.
Conservative projections forecast that within five years Te Ara Ahi will be attract 8000 multi-night visitors a year and 2000 single day visitors. Another 2000 local leisure cyclists and walkers are also expected to use the cycle trail every year.
It's already providing economic benefits for Rotorua by way of jobs for people involved in the trail's construction. And in the future it will offer additional economic opportunities for accommodation providers, cycle shops, merchandise suppliers, bike hire outlets, food and beverage operations, shuttle services, tour guides and iwi business organisations, to name just a few.
It's expected that the airport will be another beneficiary as new Australian market sectors are targeted including family groups, leisure cyclists, and active retired people.
This project is a very positive innovation for our city and one which Rotorua District Council and its partners are pleased to be part. It offers some very exciting potential benefits for our local economy, for our business entrepreneurs and for the wider community.
Peter Guerin
RDC Chief Executive