Te Awa is a shared cycle/walkway travelling 70 kms along the banks of New Zealand s largest & longest river the Mighty Waikato. Project completion date 2013
Ngaruwahia - Hamilton Completion Early 2012 Home of the Maori King, Sites of significance The story of Waikato Tainui, Heart of NZ s dairy industry, Fonterra. Part of Te Araroa, the Long Pathway.
Hamilton - Existing Potentially wider Located on Western banks Waikato Museum Hamilton Gardens Hamilton Attractions.
Cambridge - Hamilton Completion Late 2012 Premier horse studs Significant site Mystery Creek Heritage Museum Native bush, Sandy beaches Glow worms.
Cambridge to Horahora Partially completed -18 KM to do Late 2013 Maungatautari Lake Karapiro Mighty River Domain
Te Awa offers so much... Environmental Benefits Cultural Benefits Community Benefits Economic Benefits Health Benefits
Community Benefit 150,000 people would benefit from Te Awa each year. Key Strengths Free and accessible to all sectors of the community cyclists, pedestrians, wheelchair users etc Built amongst and passing through major centres with large surrounding population Very strong in Character, scenery and culture. 3M wide Grade one Concrete nearly all the way Because of its proximity to major centres and combined with its strong cultural and tourism elements, We believe it is not unrealistic for some sections of the cycleway to be far in excess of that figure and make it one of the busiest cycle networks in New Zealand. 3 Main community user groups Tourism 30% Local Regional Leisure riders 35% Commuters 35%
Potential Commuter Groups beside the Waikato River Town/ City Population Hamilton 150 000 Cambridge 20 000 Ngaruwahia 7 000 Likely commuters Schools - Sacred H, Karapiro, Cambridge Primary, St Peters... CBD - Business s Industry - Fonterra, Affco, large northern precinct centres Community general access i.e. Karapiro Initial discussions with Fonterra on how their 300 employees can partner with Te Awa and embrace a culture of cycling to work. Same discussions with St Peters who have over 1000 students.
Community Benefit ctd Quantum shift in commuting culture through Te Awa The Draft Plan notes an important aspect of the RLTS is to increase the proportion of cycle travel in the Waikato the main mechanisms for achieving this will be through the improvement of cycling infrastructure. Te Awa River Ride is such an infrastructure. Not only will it allow people to travel from Cambridge, Tamahere, Horotiu and Ngaruawahia to commute in to Hamilton, but will also allow Hamiltonians a safer commuting option within the city.
Economic Benefit - Tourism Selling this region as a vibrant and important tourism destination An increase of over $19m annually in tourism expenditure 45 000 domestic tourists (3 night average, 100$ spend) 7 000 international tourists (Starts at the airport!) The creation of nearly 300 jobs Tourism operators New attractions mass of ideas and activities Bike Hire, Transportation, Guided tours Cafes, Winery Accommodation providers (Te Awa) will provide opportunities for new commercial ventures to be established delivering considerable economic and social benefits to our communities. - Kiri Goulter, Hamilton & Waikato Regional Tourism
Cultural Benefit New Zealand s longest and most famous river For several hundred years our people have lived around the river and used it for - transport, war, fishing, irrigation, leisure, farming. A mass of stunning character and scenery not currently accessible. Waikato Tainui and Ngati Koroki Kahukura Battle sites, Paa sites,gardens Some the worlds finest Horse studs and Dairy farms Mighty River power and the Energy story Fonterra and their role in the Global economy Special character like Mystery creek A mass of Sandy beaches and waterfalls dotted along Te Awa joins all these points of interest and makes them accessible. Te Awa tells a very show cases our regions rich cultural history and promotes the significance of the Waikato with in New Zealand. It tells of our past, it shows our present and it points to our future. It tells our unique Waikato Story
Environmental Benefit Catalyst and vehicle for restoring the Waikato River Allows access to difficult riparian Stretches for planting, spraying, fencing, pest control Will grow community awareness around the health of the river strong community initiatives planned Potentially secures riparian stretches for permanent protection. Negotiations underway and concept has general acceptance. From a biodiversity restoration perspective the proposed cycleway presents a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the ecological corridor - John Gumbley, Department of Conservation
Environmental Benefit Shared Vision Environment Waikato will continue to take a constructive approach to making co-management work for the Waikato River, which is a taonga for all cultures in our region. Waikato Regional council LTP A partnership between 5 key stakeholders of the River Te Awa Great NZ River Ride Waikato Tainui River Guardians Authority Waikato Regional Council Community
Environmental Benefit Quantum shift in community awareness Restoration of the Waikato River through access to - and the permanent protection of Riparian Stretches
Funding... Total Project Expense $15,205,000.00 Total Confirmed Income $4,700,000.00 Current Project Shortfall $10,505,000.00 Project Completion 2013
Te Awa will create... Awareness around our strong culture and character Economic growth Alternative transport Restoration and awareness of the Waikato River and its health
A True Community Project