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Waihi Leader 3 October 2006

WALK, CYCLE TRACK GETS TICK

QUOTES will be sought for a walking and cycling strategy spanning Waihi, Paeroa, Ngatea and Turua after Hauraki District councillors voted last week, to progress the project immediately.

The aim of the strategy is to develop a safe pedestrian and cycle-friendly road network which would integrate walking and cycling with other modes of transport, reduce the number of short car trips and boost health, fitness and tourism.

An Opus Consultants scoping report was presented to the council in December 2005 and an offer to prepare the strategy (with costs provided for several staged options) was made in May this year and updated in July.

The option favoured by councillors will complete the whole district study over about seven months, at an estimated cost (based on the Opus price) of $68,350. However, competitive quotes will be sought.

The project initially involves consultation with Transit New Zealand and Land Transport New Zealand, pedestrian assessments for each of the four centres and identifying and assessing wheelchair, mobility scooter, and proposed cycle routes.

A mid-project report would be followed by cycle and pedestrian counts, proposals for pedestrian and cycle route developments, and a draft strategy report to be delivered in mid-2007.

Recommendations would be incorporated in the 2008/2009 land transport programme.

It’s expected that the cost of professional services for the project will be 75 per cent subsidised by LTNZ.

Subsequent actual physical works would be eligible for general financial assistance — for which the present rate is 54 per cent.

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Waihi District Walkways Inc. PO Box 241 Waihi New Zealand

Send e- mail to: Waihi Walkways