5 December 2014
Rotorua Lakes Council is to proceed with a Green Corridor' project that will provide a pathway for cyclists and others on wheels, through the inner city.
The project is part of the Rotorua 2030 Inner City Revitalisation strategy and is a concept with roots in the Rotorua Cycling Strategy first adopted in 2005, and a CBD development report by Opus Consultants, adopted in 2006.
The Green corridor will provide a separated and landscaped pathway between existing footpaths and the roadway on a route through the central city and Kuirau Park. It will link up a number of existing cycleways in the district, meaning cyclists will be able travel across the city on a safe dedicated pathway. The path will also be available for use by skateboard and scooter users, mobility vehicles, families with pushchairs, and walking and running groups.
Work on developing the Green Corridor proposal has been a collaboration between Rotorua Lakes Council, Rotorua Cycle Action group and the Inner City Focus Group representing CBD retailers and other businesses.
The proposal is now subject to a successful funding application to the New Zealand Transport Agency that would see the estimated $397,000 project cost subsidised by 57 per cent. The council's remaining share of the funding would come from within existing budgets.
Deputy Mayor Dave Donaldson said the Green Corridor will enhance the culture of Rotorua as a cycling city - one of the reasons we secured the rights to host Crankworx from next year, the world's largest mountain bike festival.
Inner City Revitalisation Portfolio Lead, Councillor Karen Hunt, said the Green Corridor was about telling people that wheels are welcome.
Whether it's kids on skates or scooters, visitors on cycle tours, people in mobility vehicles, families with children in pushchairs, the Green Corridor will welcome them all.
This is a catalyst for economic development - a corridor of economic opportunity.
Inner City Focus Group member and city retailer, Ron Finn, said it was important to encourage people into the heart of the city.
People attract people, so we need to provide more reasons for people to come into the central city. This corridor will also help cement our reputation as the biking capital of New Zealand.
As a retailer I see it as a wonderful initiative.
Rotorua Lakes Council's decision to proceed with developing the inner city's Green Corridor followed discussion of a report at a meeting of the council's Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee on Wednesday 3 December. To read the council report click the following document.