Council approves controversial Tauranga cycleway

Cyclists on a rally to prompt the council to contribute its $500k portion to the Omokoroa to Otumoetai cycleway. Photo/file

Tauranga City Council has this morning approved to fund a controversial cycleway, following months of community pressure.

The news was received with a round of applause from members of the public at a council Long Term Plan this morning.

Steve Morris followed the announcement by asking the council to look into complulsory bell use of bikes, which was passed.

The council was asked to contribute a $500,000 share to a cycleway project between Omokoroa and Tauranga.

Last month the Tauranga Round Table has pledged $100,000 towards the cycleway if the council agreed to stump up with the remaining $400,000 needed to make the project happen.

The Round Tablers are a selection of representatives of local business leaders, movers and shakers.

In February, the council was criticised after refusing to fund the proposed cycleway in what was a 6-4 vote. A petition was launched in April and cycle rallies to demonstrate the community's call for the cycleway were held.

The track would still start at the Otumoetai saltmarsh but instead of following the existing railway, it would cut through Carmichael Reserve and follow Carmichael Rd towards Bethlehem. The track would turn left onto Te Paeroa Rd to meet the State Highway near the Z Energy petrol station.

Cyclists would then turn left and traverse Parau Farms - which had been earmarked for sports fields - and cross the Wairoa River from Taniwha Place near Waimarino.

The track would again cross the State Highway and run alongside Te Puna Station Rd to meet up with its originally-proposed route at the end of Lochhead Rd.

The proposal replaces the original which saw the cycleway bridging the Wairoa River further downstream, close to the railway bridge and following the railway to Ngati Rd.