Waipā pitches cycleway to government
Waipā District Council has put a $16.2 million funding proposal to government to complete the Te Awa Cycleway.
Waipā’s pitch, on behalf of Hamilton City Council, Waikato District Council, the NZ Transport Agency and the Te Awa River Ride Charitable Trust, is part of the regional pitch for a $2.8 billion economic stimulus package to kick-start the economy post-Covid 19.
The government has called for regions to put forward shovel-ready projects which will create jobs, be ready for construction within six months, provide public benefit, modernise the economy and are worth at least $10 million. Waipa District has put up proposals worth around $214 million.
Waipā’s proposal hopes to secure government funding for a 20km shared cycle and walking path from Hamilton to the Avantidrome in Cambridge. It will form part of the Te Awa river ride, a 70km path following the Waikato River from Ngaruawahia to Horahora. Already some sections of the path have been complete and if successful, government funding could green light the rest.
The proposed route for the Hamilton to Cambridge section would go from Wairere Drive in Hamilton, across the Mangaonua gully at Riverlea, along Newell Road and Tamahere Drive/Hooker Road to connect with the existing Cambridge to Avantidrome section. This Waipā section is expected to cost $4.8 million with the remaining incomplete sections making up the remaining cost.
The NZ Transport Agency has nearly completed the Tamahere Drive/Hooker Road section which was launched last year by Associate Minister of Transport Julie Anne Genter.
Waipā Mayor Jim Mylchreest said while local government and other partners had already “funded what they could” fiscal restraints meant it had happened slowly. Given the massive economic impact expected from Covid-19, money would be tighter than ever, he said. But with support from Wellington, the complete Te Awa River Ride could be finished by June 2021.
“That’s what this is about – finishing what’s already been started and really creating a fantastic asset for the region well into the future. The proposal we’ve put to government will create 40-50 jobs and will drive demand for local product including concrete, timber, aggregrate and plants.”
“When complete, it’s anticipated the Te Awa River Ride will attract more than 110,000 users each year, many from outside our district. The more domestic tourists will can attract and keep in Waipā and the wider region, the better. We’ll need those visitors but this will also be a brilliant asset for the people who live here.”
But Mylchreest cautioned against people getting their hopes up, noting government has been “inundated with shovel-ready proposals, all with merit”.
“The team at Waipā have done all they can in a very tight timeframe to ensure the district is in with a chance,” he said. “The criteria is very clear, and we meet it – but so will many other applications.”
“Of course there is still some hurdles to be jumped at our end, including working through property agreements and resource consents. But I’m confident we will be in a position to move very quickly if the funding for the cycleway comes through.”