The final 3km push... what's needed now
Exciting news
Another 270 metres of the final push to complete the Waipu to Waipu Cove cycle trail is under construction. The newest section moves the crossing from the McLean Rd intersection to a safer spot further along Cove Rd. Then the trail will cross the road to finish on the seaward side at the Waipu Cemetery.
The work is being undertaken by Paul Cowpland and paid for by the Waipu Cycle and Walkway Trust. We are very grateful to all the landowners who have agreed to easements over their land to enable this community asset to go ahead, and to Whangarei District Council for their contribution to survey and legal costs. Thanks also to the contributions from Mountfield Quarry, Paul Jenkins, and Fulton Hogan. We also acknowledge the stunning native plants provided by Waipu Waters Community Nursery.
While the trust has initial funding to cover the work being done now, we will need to raise more funds to finish the trail to the Waipu Cemetery and invites donations through this Waipu Cycle Walkway website.
The Whangārei District Council has undertaken to build the section between the cemetery and Riverview Place to complete the trail. However, the Council currently has many competing demands and it will take a demonstration of strong public support for this project in Long Term Plan submissions to keep it on the agenda. Please help us by making a submission to Council to support us.
Over the next 6 months we will be:
The work is being undertaken by Paul Cowpland and paid for by the Waipu Cycle and Walkway Trust. We are very grateful to all the landowners who have agreed to easements over their land to enable this community asset to go ahead, and to Whangarei District Council for their contribution to survey and legal costs. Thanks also to the contributions from Mountfield Quarry, Paul Jenkins, and Fulton Hogan. We also acknowledge the stunning native plants provided by Waipu Waters Community Nursery.
While the trust has initial funding to cover the work being done now, we will need to raise more funds to finish the trail to the Waipu Cemetery and invites donations through this Waipu Cycle Walkway website.
The Whangārei District Council has undertaken to build the section between the cemetery and Riverview Place to complete the trail. However, the Council currently has many competing demands and it will take a demonstration of strong public support for this project in Long Term Plan submissions to keep it on the agenda. Please help us by making a submission to Council to support us.
Over the next 6 months we will be:
- finalising a budget to build and finish the remaining 2.5 km including costs for trail building, fencing, planting, signage and possible other amenities such as shelters
- fundraising to build and finish the trail
- building the trail as efficiently as funding allows us to.
Route options to link the trail
We explored the main route options to link Riverview Place with McLean Road and identified that the best route for a number of reasons (ecological values, cost, safety, private landowner concerns) is alongside Cove Rd, on the seaward side.
Consultation
Discussions with landowners along this route have been thoughtfully considered along with the views of Council and the community.
Pros and Cons
There were pros and cons for each route option. Much of the land on the edge of the river and estuary is public land and could be used for public access such as a walkway. However there are a number of reasons including the Department of Conservation Wildlife Refuge, rare bird nesting grounds, a dog exclusion zone, and exposure to storm events, to prefer the roadside option.
Examples of Other Community Cycleway Projects
Kapiti Coast Cycleway |
Hawkes Bay Trails |
Queenstown Trails |