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Te Aroha News
20 October 2010
Trail link offers many spin-offs
Supporters of a cycling/walking trail linking Te Aroha to Paeroa believe this will lead to big spin-offs down the track for the whole district.
Matamata-Piako District Council is surveying residents on a possible $500,000 ratepayer contribution to bring the Hauraki Plains Trail Cycleway to Te Aroha.
Te Aroha businessman Shaun O’Neill, who with his wife Jillian completed a feasibility study on the leg to Paeroa, said it would benefit all of Matamata-Piako.
“It’s the district’s opportunity to become part of the national cycleway,” he said. “If we don’t jump on board we will miss national marketing (before next year’s Rugby World Cup).”
Earlier this year the Hauraki Plains Trail Cycleway potentially taking in Miranda, Thames, Paeroa and Waihi received Quick Start funding (capped at $4 million) as part of the Government’s national strategy.
Hauraki District Council has confirmed $500,000 as its contribution to the Te Aroha-Paeroa link, with other funding sought from the Department of Conservation and New Zealand Transport Agency.
Mr O’Neill, a professional surveyor, said the link would cost about $1.3 million if Matamata-Piako District Council had to go it alone.
“This (the Hauraki concept) will benefit every business in the district.”
There is potential for the cycleway to link with established heritage trails in Morrinsville and rural area, possibly going on to Hamilton.
One option would see the trail use the existing railway corridor through Te Aroha to Waihou or Waitoa, with a shuttle bus then taking passengers to the Morrinsville museum and art gallery.
There would be obvious economic benefits for Morrinsville to become part of the extended cycleway, said Mr O’Neill.
Projections presented by Hauraki District Council to their Matamata-Piako counterparts showed 35,000 to 65,000 visitors could be expected after five years.
The “economic benefit” to the region would be $9 million to $16 million.
Mr O’Neill estimated 20,000 cyclists a year coming to this district alone would spend $2 million.
Also in close proximity to Hamilton Airport, part-owned by the district council, he said Matamata-Piako had the potential to become a major tourist destination.
“There is so much untapped potential,” said fellow Te Aroha businessman Greg Marshall. “We are missing out on the tourism dollar.”
He said there would be obvious spin-offs for local businesses, both during the construction stage and when the cycleway came on stream.
Hauraki District Council would like to see the trail built this summer and open in a year’s time.
Mr Marshall said the link to Paeroa already had the support of the Te Aroha’s community board, business association and college.
The council survey runs until November 11, with replies considered at a regular MPDC meeting on either November 26 or December 1.
Story by Steve Edwards
Piako Post
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