CYCLEWAY PROGRESS
History of the Trail - Community Board Involvement
by John Schollum
The matter of clearing the rail corridor of noxious plants and creating a walkway between Okaihau and Kaikohe was discussed by the Western Community Board at its meeting in June 2008. The Board approved the project in principle and approved a set aside a small amount of money to hold in reserve to support community initiatives. The Board then proceeded to identify all land holders adjacent to the rail corridor to ascertain their thoughts about the proposal.
Enquiries by Far North District Council staff on how to proceed with developing the rail corridor cycleway resulted in Robin Thomas, Area Manager for Department of Conservation, flying north to speak to a public meeting at the Mid North Motor Inn, Kaikohe, on 17th February 2009. Robin also spoke to the governing group establishing walking tracks in Russell on the 18th.
Robin’s presentation on the Otago Central Rail Trail was inspiring and at a subsequent meeting of the Western Community Board it was agreed to fund Board members Tracy Dalton (Chairperson) and John Schollum to travel to Dunedin. The purpose of the Trip was to meet with as many people associated with the Otago Central Rail Trail as possible to ascertain the viability of the rail corridor between Okaihau and Kaikohe being opened.
Following Robin Thomas’ visit, there was the Job Summit in Auckland. Out of this Summit, the government announced support for a national cycleway. With the support of The Tindall Foundation and the Western Community Board, the Kaikohe (Rau Marama) Community Trust prepared a short proposal on an extended cycleway that included the Okaihau to Kaikohe section and forwarded this to the Prime Minister for consideration.
In July 2009 the Prime Minister announced that the Okaihau to Kaikohe rail corridor cycleway was one of seven ‘quick starts’.
Western Community Board member John Schollum presented the attached report of the trip he and Tracy completed in May 2009 to the Board. There were three recommendations that came out of the report.
The recommendation to create a community advisory group was not actioned by the council
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11:29 AM 05-Jan-10
by Tracy D
from Kaikohe
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Chair - WCB
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A feasibility for the cycleway/trail giving estimations of design, route, construction cost and projected income has been submitted to Ministry of Tourism in Wellington who will make a decision on funding the project in the next couple of months - the process takes time - but we are still positive.
In the meantime note how many people are cycling around town these days.
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04:00 PM 02-Jan-10
by Di
from kaikohe
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My husband and I recently stayed at Waikanae Beach on the route of the Kapiti cycleway. We were amazed with the number of people including whole families using the route enjoying the scenery and being active. It also made for safer travel away from busy roads and 100km zones. Lets get the "quick start" quickly started to benefit our community!!!
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11:33 AM 28-Dec-09
by Lydz
from Kaikohe
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The cycle way sounds great, like something that would really help the area, but why hasn't the quick start section been started yet?
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