Prime Minister John Key has announced that construction will begin by summer on the first legs of his national cycleway, including a route from Lake Wakatipu to Bluff.
He detailed several trails for his "patchwork quilt" of a cycleway between Kaitaia and Bluff, on which the Government will spend $50 million over three years.
Mr Key told Local Government NZ's annual conference in Christchurch the Government had set aside $9 million from the $50 million New Zealand Cycleway Fund for projects earmarked for a 'Quick Start'.
He said 21 mayors and chaipersons had recommended a small number of projects they believed could be started this summer.
The projects that have been selected for 'Quick Start' are: Waikato River Trail, Central North Island Rail Trail, Mount Ruapehu to Wanganui, St James Trail, Hokianga to Opua/Russell, Hauraki Plains Trail and Southland Around the Mountain Rail Trail.
Mr Key said some of the tracks needed further feasibility work but he was confident they would be "well positioned" for a summer start date.
"These are only the first set of projects for the New Zealand Cycleway. As the number of tracks grow, and cycle tourism increases, the numbers of jobs generated will increase," he said.
Mr Key said the seven tracks were predicted to create an estimated 300 jobs, rising to more than 500 a year with the development of supporting businesses.
The idea, which came out of February's jobs summit, was originally intended as a cycleway spanning the length of the country.
The Government has since said it would instead be made up of a series of "Great Rides" similar to the Otago Rail Trail, with a long-term aim of creating a network throughout the country.
"The overall vision for the New Zealand Cycleway is to generate lasting economic, social and environmental benefits for our communities by a network of great rides through some of our most beautiful scenery."
Mr Key said that a recent survey of the Otago Central Rail Trail found the total value of the trail to the regional economy was $7.2m a year and provided 75 full time jobs.
A report on Britain's national cycle network estimated cycleway projects could generate $18 in benefits for every dollar invested.
The Green Party was involved in the cycleway project which MP Kevin Hague said would give health, environment and community benefits as well as boost tourism.
"We are about to see the development of a network of presently under utilised public assets transformed into useable scenic transport corridors," he said.
"This is the kind of major public work that will benefit both the economy through job creation and increased tourism and the environment through creating low carbon ways to travel - a green new deal solution to the current recession."
Factors considered in selecting tracks included job creation; access to existing tourism attractions and infrastructure and transport; local government commitment; how difficult the track was; the number of nights required; and whether existing structures e.g. rail tracks or embankments, could be used. Feasibility studies were expected to cost up to $200,000 each.
None of the seven tracks would be sealed.
Work would be done on branding existing tracks to come under the national cycleway.
* Hokianga to Opua/Russell - Kaikohe to Okaihau section.
The project would see a 90-kilometre trail from the Hokianga Harbour on the Far North West coast through to Opua/Russell in the Bay of Islands developed. The trail would pass through 11 towns and settlements.
The first section to be completed would be 12km of an old rail corridor between Kaikohe and Okaihau. The trail is historically significant with the area's European history pre-dating the New Zealand land wars, and in parts follows ancient Maori trails.
* Hauraki Plains Trails - Paeroa through Karangahake Gorge to Waihi and Paeroa to Thames (portion of trail).
The Paeroa to Karangahake Gorge through to Waihi trail would include historic gold-mining areas, then follow the river down to Waikino to the head of the vintage railway which leads into Waihi.
The Paeroa to Thames trail would follow a disused railway line with access to areas of ecological significance such as wetlands, that are also being developed, and historic sites. Development of an initial portion of this trail is suggested at this stage.
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Cycleway gets $50m - now a series of 'Great Rides' says Keyby nzheraldtv214 views
Sorry I can't lipread, any chance of hearing more the paper hitting the desk? subtitles would be ok if you can't get the recording of his voice.
TheVexatiousLitigant 2 years ago
Sound is on the Video: I don't believe you are required to lipread the statement, nor do I understand the paper hitting the desk comment.
nzheraldtv 1 year ago