Rotorua’s part of national cycleway becomes a reality this week
Rotorua's part of national cycleway becomes a reality this week
27 November 2012
RDC Chief Executive Peter Guerin's 'Council Talk' column in today's Daily Post:
Some months ago in this column I talked about Te Ara Ahi, Rotorua's part of the National Cycleway programme being developed across the country.
This was a concept first promoted by Prime Minister John Key in 2010 and one that Rotorua District Council picked up on, and has been working hard to make happen ever since.
And happen it will, this week in fact! On Thursday Te Ara Ahi will be officially launched by the Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremaine and the first 37 kilometre stretch of the cycleway will be formally opened.
Te Ara Ahi will become one of New Zealand's so-called Great Rides and will be widely publicised throughout New Zealand and overseas.
Over the longer term our section of the national network will extend to become a 74km cycling pathway, starting at Prince's Gate in the city at Government Gardens and finishing at Orakei Korako.
What a marvellous enhancement this will be to our city's already well-deserved reputation as a world class biking destination.
However as Mayor Kevin Winters has pointed out the great thing about Te Ara Ahi is that it will be enjoyed by people of all cycling abilities, and all ages.
A keen cyclist himself, Mayor Kevin said people will set their own pace for journeys through some amazing scenery and uniquely Rotorua environments. And as he explained, in many cases those are locations and experiences you won't find anywhere else in the world.
We were very pleased that the council's comprehensive funding bid to the government to be part of the New Zealand-wide National Cycleway initiative was successful. All-up the budget for Te Ara Ahi is $2.48 million, with more than $2 million of this coming from the Crown and $450,000 being Rotorua District's Council's contribution.
In addition to the council and the government there have been many other parties helping make all this happen. To everyone involved we say a big thanks for such incredible support. Rotorua would not be ready to launch Te Ara Ahi this week without the generosity and cooperation of so many people, businesses, clubs, government agencies and other organisations.
It's been conservatively estimated that within five years 10,000 visitors will experience Te Ara Ahi every year on multi-night or single-day experiences, as well as at least 2000 locals each year.
The potential economic benefit to our wider district from these visitors is obvious. Also apparent is the potential for motivated local businesses to be involved in providing services for visitors coming here to enjoy the cycleway. I'm sure there are real opportunities for smart businesses operators like cycle repair shops, food and beverage operations, shuttle services, merchandise retailers, bike hire outlets, tour guides and accommodation operators.
We look forward to warmly welcoming Te Ara Ahi to Rotorua this week and we look forward to its future development and to the economic benefit it brings our community.