Cycle trail trust alarmed at retraction of TDC funds

March 18th, 2012

The people charged with building the new Tasman cycle trail are urging Tasman District Council to continue their contribution to the development, despite proposing zero funding for more cycle paths in its Ten Year Plan.

The Nelson Tasman Cycle Trail Trust is alarmed that in TDC's Draft Long Term Plan, recently publicly notified for consultation, all Council funding for cycle trails in the Tasman District has been removed from the activity plan and budget.

This means that no further Council funds would be budgeted to extend the Great Taste Trail beyond Wakefield and Mapua (which is covered in Stage 1).

"This is of considerable concern to the Trust because the greatest benefit to individuals, businesses and communities for recreational and touring cyclists is to be gained from at least extending the trail to Kaiteriteri and having a loop joining Riwaka with Wakefield through the Motueka Valley to Woodstock," the trust says.

New Zealand Cycle Trails has advised the Trust that it cannot call the Tasman’s Great Taste Trail one of NZ’s “Great Rides” until there is a complete loop in place. The trust also points out that the business case that showed huge economic benefit to the region was based on the full loop being completed, not just to Mapua or Wakefield.

"While Brightwater and Mapua will/are already benefiting from the trail that has recently been formed even these communities will not achieve the ultimate economic benefit unless the trail goes all the way to Kaiteriteri and loops back to Wakefield."

The second and third stages of the project, which would complete the loop, are heavily reliant on funding from Tasman District Council as part of the council's and the trust's application to the Ministry of Economic Development that won $2.1m from Government for the Stage 1.

"It is interesting that Tasman District Council has totally removed funds for cycling paths from its 10 year budget, but only partially cut back on road works," the trust says on its website. "Should we not be encouraging cycling over cars for our regions health, recreational and environmental benefits. Maybe a fraction of the road funds should be diverted back into the development of cycle trails?"

They say the impact of not completing stage 2 and stage 3 will be different for individual rate payers. The rate paying cyclist from Motueka will not have improved cycle trails to Mapua or Kaiteriteri.

Rate payers outside the Wakefield/Richmond/Mapua areas will not have access to improved cycle trails and the health/economic/social benefits it brings.
The small tourist/café/accommodation business rate payers will lose the potential growth in business if the trail does not pass through their community.
Associated businesses such as cycle hire, ferry service, etc. have started developing on the basis of the Trail continuing with stage 2 and 3 as signed off by Tasman District Council in the Trail Feasibility Study.
Other cycleway projects, beyond the Great Taste Trail but part of the Heart of Biking, in areas like Golden Bay and Ruby Bay are also at risk of losing any Council funding and their benefits to the residents will be delayed or lost altogether.

The trust recognises that the Council is in a challenging financial position and needs to manage its funds carefully. In consultation with the New Zealand Cycle Trail, TDC and community leaders, the trust has developed an interim plan that will allow them to complete an abbreviated loop in the near term, while continuing work on raising the funds for the construction of the entire trail via the Spooners Tunnel and Tapawera.

Through the use of quiet on-road sections between Wakefield and Riwaka, as well as the proposed savings by being able to use Higgins Road through a reduced speed limit instead of having to build an off-road trail, they say they will be able to complete construction of a loop for $800,000.

If council meets even a portion of its commitment, they say, the trust will be able to work with the communities and businesses to fill the gap. They are urging supporters of the trail, of cycling and of tourism in the region to make submissions to council at the submission hearings.

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